Hello, my instructor asked me a question and I'm not certain how to answer it.

We're discussing the diminishing law of marginal utility.

Here's my post for the week:

This week we are covering the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility. This law "states that all else equal, as consumption increases, the marginal utility derived from each additional unit declines...the utility is an economic term used to represent satisfaction or happiness" (Kenton, 2021). Which simplified means the pleasure consumers feel from having additional items of a good or service that brings them either joy or is a necessity. Economists use this concept to better analyze and understand how much of these goods and services are customers willing to purchase. The marginal unit can either be positive, negative, or zero. If the purchase of an additional good or service increases the total utility is considered a positive marginal utility. On the contrary, if the purchase decreases utility, it is considered a negative marginal utility. While with a zero marginal utility the satisfaction has reached its maximum, therefore, the increase or decrease of purchases will not affect how the consumer feels.

I feel as parents we often discuss this topic with our children without even realizing it. I find myself explaining that although having junk, whether it is fast food or candy every day, sounds amazing it just isn't what it seems to be. Sure, it theoretically sounds delicious to eat it every day but the reality of it is my kids would soon lose interest and seek new foods they desire more as a replacement in addition to the possible bellyaches they would often come across. In other words, the more my children eat French fries, for example, the less appetizing the idea sounds. They may think that eating it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner sounds delicious but if presented with it a third time in one day I'm certain they would not be thrilled with it as they were the first time. This idea is the perfect example as to why the demand curve is downward sloping in models because the more the item is consumed the less value it holds. In order to increase the marginal utility as it starts to diminish what can be done is to slow down the consumption of French fries, to go back to my example, so that they are no longer eaten frequently, therefore, become a treat rather than an everyday affair consequently more desirable and appetizing again.

Here's his follow up question:

"Diminishing marginal utility is a law, but it is a long-run law. That means it doesn't necessarily hold in the short-run. Can you provide any examples where we see increasing marginal utility, even if just for a little while?"

Some assistance with answering the question would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.