Practice Questions
Practice Questions
Delhi University
Practice Questions
2. Suppose Dhruv has quasi-linear preferences, that is, linear in one good and non-linear in the other. His
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utility function is u(x, y) = x 3 + 14 y.
(a) Sketch his ICs for u = 10 and u = 20. [Hint: His ICs will appear like vertically shifted curves.] (2)
(b) Find M Ux and M Uy . Interpret these marginal utilities. (3)
(c) Find M RS. (1)
4. Kartik has an income of |1,000 which he typically spends on maggi and pizza. His bundle is represented
as (m, p). Pm is |10 per plate and Pp is |20 per slice.
(a) Draw his budget line. (2)
(b) Suppose his income increases to |1,500 and his College subsidizes pizza such that price per slice now
is |10. Draw his new budget line. (2)
(c) Kartik has a kind-hearted teacher who gifts him 25 slices of pizza. What happens to his budget
constraint? (2)
5. Mehak has a utility function u(x, y) = (x + 3)y. Her income is |3,000 and price of good x is |20. Good
y represents money spent on other goods.
(a) Find her optimal bundle. (1)
(b) If her income increases by |1,000, does the optimal bundle change? (1)
(c) What is her optimal bundle if px decreases to |10? (At the old income level.) (1)
(d) Given her original income, what is Mehak’s optimum bundle when her teacher gifts her 4 units of
good x? (1)
(e) Calculate utility in all the above parts and compare. (2)
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6. Praneet’s preferences for consumption this period (c1 ) and consumption next period (c2 ) are given by the
utility function u(c1 , c2 ) = c1 2 c2 . Suppose the price of consumption this period is $1 per unit. Assume
the interest rate i is 10 percent, and the inflation rate π is 5 percent. Praneet has income of $100 this
period and $100 next period.
(a) Graph his budget line clearly mentioning the intercepts. (1)
(b) Find the slope of the budget line and the zero savings point. (1)
(c) Find his optimal bundle. Is he a borrower or a saver? (2)
(d) If the interest rate i falls to 5 percent. Show if he is better off or worse off. (2)
7. Answer the following:
(a) What are price and income offer curves? (2)
(b) Draw the income offer curve and Engel curve for Giffen goods. (2)
(c) Differentiate between Giffen and Veblen goods. (2)
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