ECN6510 Advanced Microeconomics Topic 1 - Past Paper Questions
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ECN6510 Advanced Microeconomics
Topic 1 - Past Paper Questions
Question 1
1. (a) Define the indirect utility function and describe how it can be used to model tax rate changes. [20%]
(b) Present a general proof of Roy’s Identity. [20%]
(c) An individual has the following utility function:
U(x1, x2) = 5x1(0).3x2(0).7
where x1 and x1 represent the quantities consumed of goods 1 and 2 respectively. The price of good 1 is £3 and the price of good 2 is £6 and income is £100. Explaining your method, calculate the maximum utility the individual can achieve. [20%]
(d) Setting the maximum utility level in part (c) as a target level of utility, derive the Hicksian demands for each good via utility constrained expenditure minimisation and explain your answer. [20%]
(e) Discuss the similarities and differences between Hicksian and Marshallian demand functions. [20%]
Question 2
1. (a) An individual’s expenditure function is given by:
b (1−b)
where u denotes the target level of utility, p1 represents the price of good 1, p2 represents the price of good 2, A > 0 and 0 < b < 1. Determine the effect on the demand for good 1 of an increase in p1 assuming the consumer’s objective remains the attainment of target utility level, u , and explain the direction of this response. [30%]
(b) With reference to your answer to part (a), explain the effect of an increase in p2 on the demand for good 1. [20%]
(c) Discuss the role of the expenditure function in consumer theory and state five properties of the expenditure function. [20%]
(d) Discuss the significance of the Slutsky Equation in consumer theory. [30%]
Question 3
1. An individual has a utility function given by:
U = ln(x1) + ln(x2)
where x1 and x2 represent the quantities consumed of goods 1 and 2 respectively and ln denotes the natural logarithm. The individual faces a budget constraint given by:
m = p1x1 + p2x2
where m represents the individual’s income and p1 and p2 represent the prices of goods 1 and 2 respectively.
(a) Derive the Marshallian demand function for each good and analyse their properties. [30%]
(b) State the indirect utility function associated with part (a). Comment on its properties and on the role played by the indirect utility function in microeconomic theory. [20%]
(c) Present a general proof of Roy’s Identity. [30%]
(d) Compare and contrast Roy’s Identity with Shephard’s Lemma. [20%]
Question 4
1. (a) Present a general proof of Shephard’s Lemma and explain the importance of this lemma in duality theory. [20%]
(b) The minimum cost of achieving target utility u is given by b (1−b) , where p1 represents the price of good 1, p2 represents the price of good 2, A > 0 and 0 < b < 1. Calculate the effect on the demand for good 1 of an increase in p2 assuming the consumer’s objective remains the attainment of target utility u . [30%]
(c) Ascertain the own price effect of the increase in p2 on the demand for good 2 and explain the direction of this response. [30%]
(d) State Roy’s Identity and explain its role in duality theory. [20%]
2023-08-01