📚 Learning Guide
Utility Maximization After Price Change
easy

When the price of a good decreases, which of the following describes the substitution effect?

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Learning Path

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Consumers will buy more of the cheaper good and less of the more expensive alternatives.

B

Consumers will buy less of the cheaper good and more of the more expensive alternatives.

C

Consumers will maintain their purchasing behavior regardless of the price change.

D

Consumers will only buy the cheaper good if their income increases.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When the price of a good decreases, the substitution effect happens because consumers will often choose to buy more of that good instead of other similar goods. For example, if the price of apples drops, people might buy more apples and less of oranges since apples have become cheaper relative to oranges. This change occurs because consumers want to get the best value for their money, so they substitute the more expensive option for the cheaper one. As a result, the quantity demanded of the cheaper good increases while the demand for the more expensive good decreases. This behavior helps consumers maximize their utility, or satisfaction, from their purchases.

Detailed Explanation

When a good gets cheaper, people tend to buy more of it. Other options are incorrect because This answer suggests that people buy less of the cheaper good, which is not true; This answer implies that price changes don't affect buying habits, which is incorrect.

Key Concepts

substitution effect
Topic

Utility Maximization After Price Change

Difficulty

easy level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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