Utility Functions Consumer Behaviour
Utility Functions: There are many algebraic representation of utility functions. Some of them are discussed below:
A) COBB DOUGLAS UTILITY FUNCTION :
U= X^aY^1-a
Here U represents the utility achieved
X and Y are the units of commodities consumed
a is a constant less than 1
Example: Consider a case of an individual who consumes two commodities rice and wine.
Then his utility function can be created as : U = rice^a wine ^1-a
B) PERFECT SUBSTITUTES: (Linear utility functions)
When an individual consumes two commodities which are perfect substitutes of each other then his utility function takes a linear form and can be represented as:
U= aX + bY
Where U = Utility achieved
X and Y are perfect substitutes of each other
a and b are the positive constants
Example: Suppose an individual consumes two commodities Coke and Pepsi which are considered to be perfect substitutes of each other. Then his utility function will take the form of:
U = a(Coke) + b(Pepsi)
Where a and b are positive constants
C) Perfect Complements ( Leontief utility function) : When an individual consumes two goods together in a fixed proportion then we get the following form of utility function:
U = Min(aX,bY)
U = Utility achieved
X and Y are perfect complement commodities
a and b are positive constants
Example: Suppose and individual consumes right shoe and left shoe. A pair of shoe is considered to be perfect complements and utility function of such an individual will take the following form:
U = min ( L , R)
Where L and R represent left and right shoe respectively.For further help in economics assignment please upload your economics assignment.
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