A consumer has the following utility function U (x1, x2) = (x1 + 3) (x₂+4) Prices of the two goods X₁ and x₂ respectively are p₁ and p2 and the consumer has income m. We assume that all prices and income are strictly positive. Furthermore, throughout this question we assume that m is high enough so that both goods are consumed in strictly positive amount in equilibrium. (a) Solve the consumer's optimization problem and express the demand for the two goods in terms of prices and income. Compute the missing values of elasticities in the following table assuming M = 10, p₁ = 2, and p2 = 1. Show your work. Income elasticity Absolute value of own price elasticity Cross price elasticity X₁ Ts X₂ (b) While x2 is produced locally, x₁ is transported from a different region. Assume P₂ = 1. Building a new railroad (that connects the regions) will reduce transportation cost which in turn will reduce the price of good 1 from p₁ = 2 to p₁ = 1. Railroad will be funded by taxes which will reduce each consumer's disposable income from m = 10 to m = 10- T. A utility-maximizing consumer will accept higher taxes as long as

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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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A consumer has the following utility function
U (X1, X2) = (x1 + 3) (x2+4)
Prices of the two goods X₁ and x₂ respectively are p₁ and p2 and the consumer has income
m. We assume that all prices and income are strictly positive. Furthermore, throughout this
question we assume that m is high enough so that both goods are consumed in strictly
positive amount in equilibrium.
(a)
Solve the consumer's optimization problem and express the demand for the
two goods in terms of prices and income.
(1)
Compute the missing values of elasticities in the following table assuming
M = 10, p₁ = 2, and p2 = 1. Show your work.
Income elasticity
Absolute value of own price
elasticity
Cross price elasticity
X₁
T≤
X₂
(b)
While x2 is produced locally, x₁ is transported from a different region. Assume
P₂ = 1. Building a new railroad (that connects the regions) will reduce transportation cost
which in turn will reduce the price of good 1 from p₁ = 2 to p₁ = 1. Railroad will be funded
by taxes which will reduce each consumer's disposable income from m= 10 to m = 10-
T. A utility-maximizing consumer will accept higher taxes as long as
Transcribed Image Text:A consumer has the following utility function U (X1, X2) = (x1 + 3) (x2+4) Prices of the two goods X₁ and x₂ respectively are p₁ and p2 and the consumer has income m. We assume that all prices and income are strictly positive. Furthermore, throughout this question we assume that m is high enough so that both goods are consumed in strictly positive amount in equilibrium. (a) Solve the consumer's optimization problem and express the demand for the two goods in terms of prices and income. (1) Compute the missing values of elasticities in the following table assuming M = 10, p₁ = 2, and p2 = 1. Show your work. Income elasticity Absolute value of own price elasticity Cross price elasticity X₁ T≤ X₂ (b) While x2 is produced locally, x₁ is transported from a different region. Assume P₂ = 1. Building a new railroad (that connects the regions) will reduce transportation cost which in turn will reduce the price of good 1 from p₁ = 2 to p₁ = 1. Railroad will be funded by taxes which will reduce each consumer's disposable income from m= 10 to m = 10- T. A utility-maximizing consumer will accept higher taxes as long as
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