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suppose a consumer had the following preference over quantities of 2 goods _ X and Y : first look at the amount of x available: a bundle with more X is preferred to a bundle with less X, regardless of how much Y is available. But if two bundles have the same amount of X , the bundle with more Y is preferred. D o these preferences satisfy the standard assumptions in microeconomics regarding preference? explain why or why not.

User Li Jinyao
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Final answer:

The consumer's preference for more of good X over Y does satisfy the microeconomic assumptions of non-satiation, completeness, and transitivity. These assumptions imply that individuals prefer more to less and make consistent and rational choices. The impact of income and price changes on these preferences also align with economic concepts of normal and inferior goods.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question asks whether a consumer's preferences, favoring quantities of good X over Y, satisfies the standard assumptions in microeconomics. Within the framework of microeconomics, consumer preferences are expected to be complete and transitive, to display non-satiation (preferring more of a good to less), and that consumers make choices that lead to the highest attainable utility given their budget constraints.

In this scenario, a bundle with more X is always preferred over one with less X, regardless of the amount of Y, indicating a strong preference for X. This aligns with the non-satiation assumption. Additionally, if two bundles have the same amount of X, the one with more Y is favoured, which shows completeness and transitivity of preferences. Therefore, these preferences do satisfy the standard assumptions in microeconomics regarding preferences.

However, it's vital to consider how these preferences interact with income and price changes. Normal goods are typically purchased in larger quantities as income rises, and inferior goods are purchased in lesser quantities as income increases. Price changes for one good can affect the consumption of that good without changing the ability to purchase other goods, leading to adjustments in consumer choices.

User Zduny
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