To maximize utility given a budget constraint, consumers should ensure that the ratio of __________ to price is equal across all goods consumed.

To maximize utility within a budget, consumers should ensure that the ratio of marginal utility to price is equal across all goods they buy. Marginal utility is the additional satisfaction or happiness a consumer gets from consuming one more unit of a good. When spending money, if the ratio of marginal utility to price is higher for one good compared to another, it means the consumer can get more satisfaction for their money by buying more of the first good. For example, if a consumer gets 10 units of satisfaction from a snack that costs $2 and 15 units from a drink that costs $5, the ratios are 5 and 3, respectively. This suggests the consumer should buy more snacks, as they provide more satisfaction per dollar spent until the ratios are equal.