Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

Consider a representative consumer with preferences over consumption c and leisure l given by u(c, l) = 1 4 ln(c) + 3 4 ln(l). Assume

Consider a representative consumer with preferences over consumption c and leisure l given by u(c, l) = 1 4 ln(c) + 3 4 ln(l). Assume that the price of consumption is normalized to p = 1, and the consumer has h = 24 hours of total time available to divide between work and leisure. The consumer's wage per hour of work is w = 8. The consumer also pays lump-sum taxes of T = 32, and she receives no dividend (profit) income so = 0. (a) Write out the consumer's budget equation, and draw a graph of the budget con- straint. (b) Solve for the optimal decisions c and l. How many hours per day is the consumer working?

(c) Suppose the consumer inherits a bunch of stocks from a rich uncle, so the consumer's dividend income increases from = 0 to = 16 (but she still receives the wage of w = 8). Solve for the new optimal choices of c and l. Relative to the solution in part (b), do consumption, leisure, and hours worked increase, decrease, or stay the same? Give an intuitive explanation for why these changes occur. (d) When the dividend income changes in part (c), determine whether the consumer experiences an income effect, a substitution effect, both, or neither. If both income and substitution effects are present, explain which effect is larger and how you determine this. (e) Suppose the consumer's wage now increases to w = 12, and all else remains as in part (c). Solve for the new optimal choices of c and l. Relative to the solution in part (c), do consumption, leisure, and hours worked increase, decrease, or stay the same? Give an intuitive explanation for why these changes occur. (f) When the wage changes in part (e), determine whether the consumer experiences an income effect, a substitution effect, both, or neither. If both income and substitution effects are present, explain which effect is larger and how you determine this.

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

blur-text-image

Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image

Step: 3

blur-text-image

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Leading and Collaborating in the Competitive World

Authors: Thomas S Bateman, Scott A Snell, Robert Konopaske

13th edition

1259927644, 1259927645, 978-1260194241

More Books

Students also viewed these Economics questions