Final answer:
To maximize utility, individuals make decisions based on preferences and constraints. Marginal utility measures the additional satisfaction from consuming one more unit of a good, and diminishing marginal utility occurs when the additional satisfaction decreases.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to maximize utility, individuals make decisions based on their preferences and constraints. They choose a combination of goods and services that provides the greatest level of satisfaction, given their income and the prices of the goods. This is known as utility-maximizing behavior.
Marginal utility refers to the additional satisfaction or happiness that a person derives from consuming one additional unit of a good or service. Diminishing marginal utility occurs when the additional satisfaction derived from consuming each additional unit of a good or service decreases.
For example, if a person is hungry, the first slice of pizza they eat will provide a high level of satisfaction. However, as they continue to eat more slices, the additional satisfaction they derive from each additional slice diminishes.