Marginal utility theory

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Marginal utility theory examines the increase in satisfaction consumers gain from consuming an extra unit of a good. Utility is an idea that people get a certain level of satisfaction/happiness/utility from consuming goods and service. Marginal utility is the benefit of consuming an extra unit This utility is not constant. Often we get diminishing marginal …

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Utility maximisation

total-utility

Utility maximisation refers to the concept that individuals and firms seek to get the highest satisfaction from their economic decisions. For example, when deciding how to spend a fixed some, individuals will purchase the combination of goods/services that give the most satisfaction. Utility maximisation can also refer to other decisions – for example, the optimal …

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Measuring utility

utlity-function-risk-aversion

Utility is a concept given to how much satisfaction/happiness a person gains from a particular action. Utility derived from the philosophy of utilitarianism. An early advocate of Utilitarianism was Jeremy Bentham who argued that utility was the accumulation of pleasure and avoidance of pain. The concept was refined by others such as J.S. Mill who …

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Difference between consumption and investment

Consumption is the purchase of goods and services for the acquisition of current utility. Investment is expenditure on capital goods for the acquisition of future utility. Investment increases the capital stock. Examples of the difference between consumption and investment A householder buys a car so that they can travel around to work and leisure activities. …

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Paradox of Value – Definition, Explanation, Examples

paradox-of-value

Definition The observation that some goods (e.g. water) which are more essential to human life can be cheaper than non-essential goods (e.g. diamonds) Paradox of value – Economics explainedWatch this video on YouTube Explanation The paradox of value examines why goods that are not essential to life can command a much higher price than goods …

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Progressive tax

progressive-tax

A progressive tax takes a higher percentage of tax from people with higher incomes. It means that the more a person earns, the higher his average rate of tax will be. In this case, the person earning £10,000 is paying 20% of their income in tax (total tax of £2,000) The person earning £20,000 is …

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Consumer choice

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The theory of consumer choice assumes consumers wish to maximise their utility through the optimal combination of goods – given their limited budget. To illustrate how consumers choose between different combinations of goods we can use equi-marginal principle and indifference curves and budget lines. Consumer equilibrium – equimarginal principle Consumer Equilibrium occurs when the marginal …

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Marginal Analysis in Economics

marginal cost

In economics, marginal analysis means we look at the last unit of consumption/cost. It gives a different picture to the total cost. For example, the total cost of flying a plane from London to New York will be several thousand Pounds. However, with a plane 50% full, the cost of carrying one extra passenger is …

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