Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

Consumers must decide how much they wish to consume today (c.) versus in the future (c.). In making their decisions, they are constrained by

Consumers must decide how much they wish to consume today (c.) versus in the future (c.). In making their decisions, they are constrained by the amount of their present income (v.) and future income (y.). Future income is related to present income in the following way: y = (1+g)y,, where g = the growth rate of income (1) The real interest rate in this economy is r and individuals can lend and borrow at this rate. a) Use the above information to derive first the households' level of consumption in period 2 and then their inter-temporal budget constraint. b) Using logs, the inter-temporal utility function of the representative consumer is given by: In(c.c,)=a In(c,)+(1-a)ln(c,) (2) The coefficients a and 1-a represent the weights placed on present and future consumption. [Hint: In doing the question, remember for any variable x, that the derivative of the natural log is given by d In(x) = dx/x.] 1) Starting with the inter-temporal utility function (equation (2)), find the algebraic relationship between present and future consumption that maximizes utility ( In(c.c,)). 2) Then, using that relationship, find an equation for present consumption as it relates to only present income, wealth and the real interest rate. 3) Next, find an expression for the average propensity to consume (APC), defined as current consumption divided by current income, e,/y,. c) In Canada, the average propensity has been around 0.96 since 2000. Over that same period, real personal disposable income has grown by 24%, while real interest rates have averaged 24% (actually they quite a bit lower right now). Use your equation for APC to find the value of a for the Canadian economy. Based on that value, do Canadian consumers put more or less weight on present versus future consumption?

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

Management

Authors: Stephen P Robbins, Mary Coulter

11th Edition

9780273752776, 132163845, 273752774, 978-0132163842

More Books

Students also viewed these Economics questions

Question

What is organizational performance?

Answered: 1 week ago