A consumer is in equilibrium at point A in the accompanying figure. The price of good X is $5. At point A, how many units of good X does the consumer purchase? Suppose the budget line changes so that the consumer achieves a new equilibrium at point B. What change in the economic environment led to this new equilibrium? Is the consumer positively or negatively affected by the price change?
A consumer is in equilibrium at point A in the accompanying figure. The price of good X is $5. At point A, how many units of good X does the consumer purchase? Suppose the budget line changes so that the consumer achieves a new equilibrium at point B. What change in the economic environment led to this new equilibrium? Is the consumer positively or negatively affected by the price change?
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
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A consumer is in equilibrium at point A in the accompanying figure. The
- At point A, how many units of good X does the consumer purchase?
- Suppose the budget line changes so that the consumer achieves a new equilibrium at point B. What change in the economic environment led to this new equilibrium? Is the consumer positively or negatively affected by the price change?

Transcribed Image Text:### Indifference Curve Analysis
The graph above is an illustrative example used in microeconomics to represent indifference curve analysis for two products, Product X and Product Y. This kind of analysis helps understand consumer preferences and the substitution effect between two goods.
#### Components of the Graph:
1. **Axes:**
- The horizontal axis (X-axis) represents the quantity of **Product X**.
- The vertical axis (Y-axis) represents the quantity of **Product Y**.
2. **Indifference Curves:**
- There are two indifference curves shown in the graph. These curves demonstrate combinations of Products X and Y that provide the consumer with the same level of satisfaction.
- The curve that appears higher and more to the right indicates a higher level of satisfaction or utility compared to the lower curve.
3. **Points on the Indifference Curves:**
- Point **A** is located on the lower indifference curve, showing a combination where the consumer consumes more of Product X and less of Product Y.
- Point **B** is located on the higher indifference curve, where the consumer is obtaining more utility with a higher quantity of Product Y and less of Product X.
- Each point on the same indifference curve implies equal utility to the consumer. Thus, the consumer is indifferent to any combination of goods along that curve.
4. **Budget Line:**
- The straight blue lines represent budget constraints. The slope of the budget line reflects the prices of the two goods. The budget line shows all possible combinations of two products a consumer can purchase with their income.
- As the budget line shifts, it indicates a change in income or prices of the products.
5. **Interactions and Tangency:**
- Points **A** and **B** mark where the indifference curves are tangent to the budget lines. At these points, the consumer maximizes their utility given their budget constraints.
#### Key Takeaways:
- **Higher Indifference Curves:** Indicate a higher utility level.
- **Tangency Points (A and B):** Show optimal consumption bundles where the consumer achieves the highest total utility for their budget.
- **Budget Lines:** Reflect changes in income or prices of products. A parallel shift indicates changes in income, whereas a change in the slope indicates a change in relative prices.
By studying this graph and understanding the interactions between indifference curves and budget constraints, students can gain deep insights into consumer behavior,
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