📚 Learning Guide
Utility Maximization After Price Change
hard

When the price of a good decreases, which of the following effects contributes to the change in consumer surplus due to increased utility maximization, particularly focusing on the substitution effect?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Consumers buy less of the good because its price decreased.

B

Consumers substitute the cheaper good for more expensive alternatives.

C

The overall market demand decreases as a result of the price change.

D

Consumer income effectively decreases, leading to lower overall consumption.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When the price of a good decreases, consumers usually feel happier because they can buy more of that good without spending more money. This change is known as the substitution effect, which happens when people choose to buy more of the cheaper good instead of a more expensive one. For example, if the price of apples drops, people might buy more apples instead of oranges, which they usually buy when apples are more expensive. As a result, consumers get more satisfaction or utility from their purchases because they can enjoy more of the good they prefer at a lower cost. This increase in consumer surplus means that consumers are getting more value for their money, making them feel better overall about their spending.

Detailed Explanation

When a good becomes cheaper, people often buy it instead of more expensive options. Other options are incorrect because This answer suggests that people buy less when prices drop, which is not true; This option says that overall demand goes down, which is incorrect.

Key Concepts

price change
substitution effect
consumer surplus
Topic

Utility Maximization After Price Change

Difficulty

hard level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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