Morris Has the Utility Function U(b, W) = 4b

question 68

Multiple Choice

Morris has the utility function U(b, w) = 4b + 16w and Philip has the utility function U(b, w) = bw, where b is the number of books consumed per month and w is bottles of wine consumed per month. If we draw an Edgeworth box with books on the horizontal axis and wine on the vertical axis and if we measure Morris's consumptions from the lower left corner of the box, then the contract curve contains

• A) a straight line with slopepassing through the lower left corner of the box.
• B) a straight line running from the upper right corner of the box to the lower left.
• C) a straight line with slopepassing through the upper right corner of the box.
• D) a curve that gets steeper as you move from left to right.
• E) a curve that gets flatter as you move from left to right.

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Definitions:

Externality

A cost or benefit from production or consumption that accrues to someone other than the immediate buyers and sellers of the product being produced or consumed (see negative externality and positive externality).

Third Party

An individual or group besides the two primarily involved in a transaction or legal matter, sometimes involved as an intermediary or independent party.

Transaction

An exchange or transfer of goods, services, or funds between two or more parties.

Deadweight Losses

Efficiency losses in an economy occurring when total societal welfare is not maximized, typically as a result of market distortions like taxes or subsidies.