Arrange the following steps to determine the optimal purchase combination for maximizing utility: 1) Calculate the marginal utility per dollar for each good, 2) Determine the consumer's budget constraint, 3) Compare the marginal utility per dollar across goods, 4) Choose the combination of goods that maximizes total utility within the budget.

First you must know how much money you have, so the budget step comes first. Other options are incorrect because This order puts the calculation of marginal utility before knowing how much you can spend, so you might choose a good that costs more than your budget allows; It starts by comparing utilities before you even check your money, so you could compare a good you can’t afford.