|
|
LONG-RUN AVERAGE COST CURVE: A curve depicting the per unit cost of producing a good or service in the long run when all inputs are variable. The long-run average cost curve (usually abbreviated LRAC) can be derived in two ways. On is to plot long-run average cost, which is, long-run total cost divided by the quantity of output produced. at different output levels. The more common method, however, is as an envelope of an infinite number of short-run average total cost curves. Such an envelope is base on identifying the point on each short-run average total cost curve that provides the lowest possible average cost for each quantity of output. The long-run average cost curve is U-shaped, reflecting economies of scale (or increasing returns to scale) when negatively-sloped and diseconomies of scale (or decreasing returns to scale) when positively sloped. The minimum point (or range) on the LRAC curve is the minimum efficient scale.
Visit the GLOSS*arama
|
|
|
|
                           INCOME CHANGE, UTILITY ANALYSIS: A disruption of consumer equilibrium identified with utility analysis caused by changes in the buyers' income, which results in a change in the quantities of the goods consumed. The change in buyers' income alters the income constraint and forces a reevaluation of the rule of consumer equilibrium. Utility analysis can be used to illustrate how a change in income alters the consumer equilibrium combination of goods consumed. With more or less income, a consumer is able to purchase larger or smaller quantities of the goods. This particular utility analysis of consumer equilibrium provides insight into the buyers' income demand determinant.A Review of Consumer Equilibrium| Pretzels and Sundaes |  |
First, a review of consumer equilibrium is in order. An Income ChangeThe key point of analysis is to pose the question: What occurs if Duncan has a change in income? In particular, suppose that Duncan has a boost in his snack budget from $20 to $26. How might the consumer equilibrium quantities of pretzels and hot fudge sundaes change?To answer this question, the original consumer equilibrium must be reevaluated. If Duncan continues to consume 3 sundaes and 4 pretzels, he spends only $20, but his new budget constraint is now $26. Duncan has $6 extra dollars to spend. Given that sundaes are $4 and pretzels are $2, why not consume one more of each? Doing so uses up the extra $6. Click the [Income Change] button in the adjoining exhibit to highlight this new option. | Pretzels and Sundaes | |
- All Income Spent: The combination of 5 pretzels and 4 hot fudge sundaes seems to be an appropriate choice of the two goods. With this new income, Duncan spends $10 on pretzels and $16 on hot fudge sundaes, which now exhausts the larger amount of income.
- Consumer Equilibrium: As it turns out, this new combination also satisfies the rule of consumer equilibrium and equates the marginal utility-price ratio for each good. The marginal utility of the last pretzel is 4 utils, giving a marginal utility-price ratio of 2 utils per dollar. The marginal utility of the last hot fudge sundae is 8 utils, also resulting in a marginal utility-price ratio of 2 utils per dollar. Consumer equilibrium is achieved.
- Utility Maximization: And with this new consumer equilibrium, utility is now maximized at a total of 96 utils. The purchase of 5 pretzels generates 40 utils of satisfaction and the consumption of 4 hot fudge sundaes adds another 56 utils. No other combination of pretzels and hot fudge sundaes purchased with $26 of income generates a greater level of utility.
It looks as though the option of buying one more of each good generates the new consumer equilibrium. The increase in income results in an increase in the quantity of the goods consumed. This means that both goods, in this example, are normal goods.
Recommended Citation:INCOME CHANGE, UTILITY ANALYSIS, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2026. [Accessed: February 8, 2026].
Check Out These Related Terms... | | |
Or For A Little Background... | | | | | | | | | | |
And For Further Study... | | | | | | | | | | | |
Search Again?
Back to the WEB*pedia
|
|
|
BLACK DISMALAPOD
[What's This?]
Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time flipping through mail order catalogs looking to buy either a package of 4 by 6 index cards, the ones with lines or a 50 foot extension cord. Be on the lookout for empty parking spaces that appear to be near the entrance to a store.
Your Complete Scope
This isn't me! What am I?
|
|
|
Potato chips were invented in 1853 by a irritated chef repeatedly seeking to appease the hard to please Cornelius Vanderbilt who demanded french fried potatoes that were thinner and crisper than normal.
|
|
|
"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minuteshould be enjoyed and savored." -- Earl Nightingale
|
|
ACV
Actual Cash Value
|
|
|
Tell us what you think about AmosWEB. Like what you see? Have suggestions for improvements? Let us know. Click the User Feedback link.
User Feedback
|
|
