Reference: For questions 1 to 20, refer to the information given below about George Costanza's preference and budget:

George Costanza works for the New York Yankees in a Manhattan office. His favorite snack food is a knish (X₁), a popular New York City treat. He particularly enjoys the knishes sold at Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery on Houston Street where he can also get his favorite drink, homemade vanilla soda (X₂).

The price of a knish is $4 and the price of a homemade vanilla soda is $3.

Let us suppose George's preference for knishes and vanilla sodas can be mathematically expressed by the utility function: U (X₁, X₂) = 9X₁X₂

George's weekly allowance for knishes and vanilla sodas is $72. He must spend the entire amount each week to buy his knishes and sodas, i.e., he cannot save any money.

Given George's utility function, what is his level of utility when he consumes 12 units of X₁and 6 servings of X₂?

Group of answer choices

U = 360

U = 484

U = 648

U = 624

If George's consumption bundle now has one extra unit of X₁ (i.e., X₁ is now 13 units) but X₂ remains unchanged (i.e., X₂ is still 6 units), what is George's total utility from consuming this bundle?

Group of answer choices

U = 704

U = 698

U = 702

U = 708