Each month Larry purchases household utilities. His preferences over gallons of heating oil (x) and units of other utilities (y) can be represented by the utility function: U(x,y) = ln x + ln y. Suppose that the market price of heating oil is $4 per gallon, the price of a unit of other utilities is $1, and that Larry has $320 to spend per month on his utilities. The price of heating oil is too high, so the government proposes a per-unit subsidy of $1.60. Larry can buy heating oil at the price of $2.40 with the per-unit subsidy. However, the government adjusts the price of heating oil again. The second proposal sets the market price of heating oil to $2.56. 1) What is the equivalent variation of the price change from $2.40 to $2.56? 2) What is the cost to the government?
Each month Larry purchases household utilities. His preferences over gallons of heating oil (x) and units of other utilities (y) can be represented by the utility function: U(x,y) = ln x + ln y. Suppose that the market
However, the government adjusts the price of heating oil again. The second proposal sets the market price of heating oil to $2.56.
1) What is the equivalent variation of the price change from $2.40 to $2.56?
2) What is the cost to the government?
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