Economics Solutions Solutions for Class 12 Commerce Economics Chapter 2 - Consumer's Behaviour

Answer:

1) Utility refers to want satisfying power of a commodity.
Explanation:
Utility is the satisfaction that a consumer expects to derive from the consumption of a particular unit of a good. It is expressed in subjective terms as ‘utils’. For example, we can say that utility derived from one cold drink is 4 utils.

2) Marginal utility diminishes as consumption of commodity increases.
Explanation:
When a consumer consumes more and more units of a commodity, the marginal utility derived from the consumption of each additional unit of the commodity tends to fall. Further, the utility may become zero and even negative. This is known as the Law of Diminishing Utility.



3) Marginal utility is the utility derived from the last unit of the commodity consumed.
Explanation:
Marginal utility is the addition to the total utility, due to the consumption of an additional unit of a commodity. In other words, it is the utility derived from the last unit of the commodity consumed. Algebraically,
MU_n = TU_n – TU_{n –1}

4) When MU is negative, TU decreases.
Explanation:
Total Utility (TU) depends upon the Marginal Utility (MU). Marginal utility depicts the addition to total utility when an additional unit of the commodity is consumed. A negative marginal utlity suggests that additional to total utility is negative. Thus, total utility is falling.  

Answer:

The above columns can be correctly matched as:
 

Explanations:

1. Marginal utility is the addition to the total utility, due to the consumption of an additional unit of a commodity. In other words, it can be defined as the utility derived from the last unit of the commodity consumed.
Algebraically,
MU_n = TU_n – TU_n –1
2. The maximum point of the total utility curve is also known as the point of satiety. Beyond this point, total utility starts declining with consumption of every successive unit of consumption. It is only at this point of satiety that the consumer gets the maximum amount of satisfaction from the consumption of a commodity.
3. Form utility is the utility derived by changing the physical characteristics of a product. Since furniture is made by changing the original form of wood, the creation of furniture from wood is an example of form utility. This type of utility increases with the change in the structure or shape of the good.
4. One of the basic assumptions of the law of Diminishing Marginal Utility is that the utility is measurable in numbers. Without such an assumption it would have been difficult to explain and represent the exact behaviour of the marginal utility.
5. Service utility is the utility created by providing services to the people. Since a teacher, by teaching in a class, renders service to students, knowledge imparted by a teacher to the students is a form of service utility.

Answer:

1) Utility depends upon intensity of want. - True
Explanation:
The above statement is true. Utility is the satisfaction that a consumer expects to derive from the consumption of a particular unit of a good. It depends on the intensity of want of the particular unit of the good. The greater the intensity of want, the greater would be satisfaction that the consumer  would derive from the consumption of that unit of the commodity. That is, there is a strong and positive relationship between utility and the intensity of want.

2) Utility is the basis of demand. -True
Explanation:
The above statement is true. Demand for a commodity is based on the utility derived from it. A person will demand a commodity only if it gives him/her some satisfaction or utility, otherwise, it will not be demanded. Therefore, we can say that utility forms the basis of demand for a commodity.

3) MU and TU are equal at the initial stage. -True
Explanation:
Total utility (TU) refers to the aggregate utility, or the summation of utility, derived from the consumption of all the units of a commodity.
Algebraically, TU_n = MU₁ + MU₂ + MU₃ +.............. + MUn = ∑MU
At the initial stage i.e. at the first unit of consumption, Marginal Utility (MU) and Total Utility (TU) are equal. That is, MU = TU.
 

* TU and MU are equal at the initial phase.

4) The law of diminishing marginal utility explains economic behaviour of a rational consumer.
-True
Explanation:
The law of diminishing marginal utility states that: “As a consumer consumes more and more units of a commodity at succession, the marginal utility derived from the consumption of each additional unit of the commodity falls.” Such a behaviour is a rational behaviour. As the consumer has more of a commodity, the intensity of want for additional units goes on decreasing, i.e. utility decreases. No rational consumer would want additional units of the commodity when the intensity of want is decreasing.

5) Negative MU denotes more satisfaction. - False
Explanation:
The above statement is false. In fact, negative marginal utility denotes dissatisfaction. Negative marginal utility implies that the additional unit decreases the total utility derived from the consumption of the commodity.

Answer:

1) Possession utility refers to the utility derived from the possession or ownership of a good. In other words, it refers to the utility obtained by the consumers by purchasing a good from the seller.

2) Knowledge utility is the utility derived from acquiring knowledge about a particular product. For instance, the utility derived from a mobile increases, if the consumer has complete knowledge about its functions.

3) Total utility refers to the aggregate utility, or the summation of utility, derived from the consumption of all the units of a commodity i.e. total utility is the sum of marginal utility. Algebraically,

TU_n = MU₁ + MU₂ + MU₃ +..............+ MU_n = ∑MU

4) Marginal utility refers to the addition to the total utility, due to the consumption of an additional unit of a commodity. MU is derived from TU as:
MU_n = TU_n − TU_{n− 1}

Answer:

1) Utility is the satisfaction that a consumer expects to derive from the consumption of a particular good. It is a subjective concept as it varies from person to person and from time to time. That is, a consumer defines a utility for himself.  For example, a commodity, say apples, provides different levels of satisfaction to different persons. Also, the same person can derive different levels of satisfaction from the consumption of apples, at different points of time (for example, at the time of illness, the apples may provide a higher level of satisfaction to the consumer).

2) Utility and happiness are two different concepts. On one hand, utility is the want satisfying capacity of a commodity. On the other hand, happiness is a state of mind. It is an expression of the feeling of satisfaction. Moreover, utility is the anticipated level of satisfaction while happiness is actually realised by the consumer.

3) Utility does not discriminate between commodities on the basis of their characteristics such as good or bad, moral or immoral, etc. It simply implies that a commodity that possesses utility may or may not be ethically good. It just satisfies the consumer even if it is not socially desirable. For instance, commodities such as cigarettes, drugs and alchohol may fulfill satisfaction of a particular consumer despite the fact that they are socially undesirable.

4) Utility is a psychological term as it is difficult to measure utility in terms of numbers. That is, it cannot be measured cardinally, though for simplicity, we assume it to be measured in terms of numbers. Also, it cannot be seen or touched, but can only be experienced. Utility can only be measured ordinaly. For instance, a hungry person, after having food, derives a utility.

Answer:

1)

2)

3)

4)

Answer:

1) Equi-marginal utility implies that a consumer allocates his expenditure on various commodities in such a manner that the utility derived from each additional unit of the rupee spent on each of the commodities is equal. Algebraically, this is represented by the following equation:

$\frac{M{U}_x}{P_x}=\frac{M{U}_y}{P_y}=\dots \frac{M{U}_n}{P_n}=M{U}_m$

Where MU_x, MU_y, MU_n are the marginal utilities derived from the goods X, Y and N, respectively; P_x, P_y, P_n are the prices of the goods X, Y and N, respectively; and MU_m is the marginal utility of money.

2) Paradox of value refers to the difference between the value in use of a commodity and the value in exchange. This paradox states that a commodity that has a high use value may have a low exchange value (in terms of price). For instance, water, which has a high use value commands a low price in the market, i.e. it has a low exchange value. On the other hand, diamonds that have a low use value have high very high exchange value. Thus, there is a disparity between the use value and exchange value.

3) Form utility is the utility that is derived by changing the physical properties of a product. As a good changes shape or structure, form utility increase. For instance, when a log of wood is changed in furniture, the utility derived from it increases. Similarly, when clay is changed in pottery the utility increases.

Answer:

1) The following points highlight the relationship between TU (Total Utility) and MU (Marginal Utility).
i. As more and more units of the commodity are consumed, the marginal utility derived from the consumption of each additional unit of the commodity tends to fall. With the consumption of the successive units, the marginal utility becomes zero and, consequently, becomes negative.
ii. As long as MU, derived from the consumption of additional units of the commodity, is positive, TU continues to rise.
iii. When TU reaches the maximum point, MU becomes zero.
iv. When TU starts falling, MU becomes negative.
v. MU is derived from TU as:
   MU_n = TU_n − TU_n−1
vi. TU is defined as the summation of all the marginal utility values, given as:
   TU_n = MU₁+MU₂+ MU₃+..............+MU_n = ∑MU.

Diagrammatically, the relationship between the TU and MU can be expressed as follows.



2) The following are the characteristics of utility:
i. Relative concept - Utility is a relative concept as it differs from time to time and from place to place. For instance, woollen clothes have more utility in winters and less in summers. Similarly, woollen clothes have more utility in Kashmir than in Jaipur.
ii. Subjective concept - Utility refers to the satisfaction that a consumer expects to derive from the consumption of a particular good. It is a subjective concept as it varies from person to person and from time to time. A consumer himself defines the utility derived from the consumption  of a good.
iii. Ethically neutral - Utility is said to be ethically neutral as it does not discriminate between commodities on the basis of characteristics such as good, bad, moral, immoral etc. This implies that a commodity may provide utility even when it is socially undesirable.
iv. Utility and usefulness are different- Utility and usefulness are two different concepts. Utility means the satisfaction derived from the consumption of a good. On the other hand, usefulness is the benefit obtained from the commodity.
v. Utility is not the same as pleasure- Utility does not imply pleasure. That is, it is not necessary that a commodity that has utility will always provide pleasure or happiness to the consumer.
vi. Utility is different from satisfaction- While utility refers to the want satisfying capacity of a commodity, satisfaction is an expression of the feeling of happiness. Moreover, utility is the anticipated level of satisfaction, while satisfaction is actually realised by the consumer.
vii. Utility is not easily measurable - Utility is difficult to measure in terms of numbers (cardinal measurement). It is a psychological concept, as it cannot be seen or touched, but can only be experienced.
viii. Depends upon the intensity of want - This means that the utility derived from the consumption of a commodity depends upon the intensity of want for that commodity. The greater the intensity of want, the greater is the utility derived from the consumption of the commodity.
ix. It is the basis of demand- Demand for a commodity is based on the utility derived from it. A person will demand a commodity only if it gives him/her some satisfaction or utility, otherwise, it will not be demanded.

Answer:

1) There are no real exceptions to the law of Diminishing Marginal Utility. - Disagree
Explanation:
The above statement is false. There are exceptions to the law of diminishing marginal utility. This law fails to operate in case of earning money, acquiring knowledge, consumption of liquor and cigarettes, hobbies such as jewellery collection by women, stamp collection, old coins, antiques, listening to good music and reading good poems again and again etc. In such cases, greater the consumption, greater is the utility derived. 

2) When MU is zero, TU diminishes. - Disagree
Explanation:
The above statement is incorrect as, when Marginal Utility (MU) is zero, Total Utility (TU) attains its maximum point (i.e. the saturation point). On the other hand, when MU becomes negative, TU diminishes.

3) Law of Diminishing Marginal utility is important in practice. - Agree
Explanation:
Yes, the law of diminishing marginal utility is important in practice. The following are some of the points that highlight the importance of the law. 

Answer:

The law of diminishing marginal utility states that: “As a consumer consumes more and more units of a commodity at succession, the marginal utility derived from the consumption of each additional unit of the commodity falls.”
The law of diminishing marginal utility is based on the following assumptions.

i. Reasonable size of units - A consumer consumes only standard units of the commodity such that the size of the commodity is neither too big nor too small. For example, consuming the whole of an apple, and not half of it.
ii. Continuous consumption - Consumption of the successive units of the commodity takes place continuously (i.e. without any time lag).
iii. Homogeneous units - The law also assumes that the quality of the commodity remains the same throughout the process of consumption.
iv. Rational consumer - The law is applicable only if the consumer is a rational human being. That is, he should make rational consumption decisions.
v. Constancy - There is no change in the tastes, preferences, income or habits of the consumers.
vi. Cardinal measurement - The law only holds if the consumer is able to express its utility in terms of utils. That is, utility can be measured cardinally (or numerically).
vii. Single use – The law of diminishing marginal utility assumes that a commodity is consumed to satisfy a single want and not multiple wants at the same time.
viii. Divisibility - This assumption implies that the commodities meant for consumption can be divided into small quantities. This division into small quantities makes its consumption faster.
ix. Constant marginal utility of money - Utility of income left after consumption is the same as the utility of total income before consumption.

Answer:

The law of diminishing marginal utility states that: “As a consumer consumes more and more units of a commodity at succession, the Marginal Utility derived from the consumption of each additional unit of the commodity falls.” The law of diminishing marginal utility fails to operate in the following situations.