📚 Learning Guide
Marginal Utility and Budgeting
medium

If a consumer's budget is constrained and they experience an increase in the price of one good, which of the following outcomes is most likely to occur according to the substitution effect?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

The consumer will buy less of the good whose price increased and more of a substitute good.

B

The consumer will maintain their original purchasing choices regardless of the price change.

C

The consumer will buy more of the good whose price increased due to increased utility.

D

The consumer will decrease their total expenditure on all goods.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When a consumer faces a budget constraint and the price of one good increases, they will likely shift their spending towards a cheaper substitute. This is known as the substitution effect, where the consumer replaces the more expensive item with a less expensive one to maintain their overall satisfaction without exceeding their budget. For example, if the price of apples rises, a consumer might buy more oranges instead, as they provide similar benefits at a lower cost. This change helps the consumer maximize their utility, or satisfaction, given their limited budget. Ultimately, the consumer adjusts their choices to get the most value for their money.

Detailed Explanation

When the price of a good goes up, people often look for cheaper options. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that people will keep buying the same things no matter what; It's a common mistake to think that higher prices mean more value.

Key Concepts

Utility function
Substitution effect
Topic

Marginal Utility and Budgeting

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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