TEST BANK FOR
Microeconomic Theory Basic Principles and Extensions,
12th Edition
Chapter_03_Preferences_and_Utility
1. Indifference curves:
a. may sometimes intersect.
b. are contour lines only of a linear utility function.
c. are convex if the utility function is quasi-concave.
d. shift when prices change.
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
2. For an individual who consumes only two goods, x and y, the opportunity cost of consuming
one more unit of x in terms of how much y must be given up is reflected by:
a. the individual's marginal rate of substitution.
b. the market prices of x and y.
c. the slope of the individual's indifference curve.
d. none of the above.
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
3. If bundles of goods A and B lie on the same indifference curve, one can assume the individual:
a. prefers bundle A to bundle B.
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, b. prefers bundle B to bundle A.
c. enjoys bundle A and B equally.
d. bundle A contains the same goods as bundle B.
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
Questions 4 and 5 refer to an individual whose utility function is given by:
.
4. With this utility function, the bundle (3,2) provides the same utility as the bundle:
a. (2, 3).
b. (2, 4).
c. (2, 5).
d. (3, 3).
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
5. For this utility function, the MRS:
a. depends on the values of x and y.
b. is always 0.
c. is always 2.
d. is always 4.
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
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,6. Which of these utility functions represent the same preferences as ?
a.
b.
c.
d. All of the above represent the same preferences.
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
7. If utility is given by , then the person's MRS at the point x = 5, y = 2 is given
by:
a. 0.4.
b. 1.0.
c. 2.5.
d. 5.0.
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
8. If utility is given by , this person's indifference curves are:
a. parabolas.
b. hyperbolas.
c. concentric circles.
d. straight lines.
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
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, 9. Which of the following utility functions best represents the idea that two goods, x and y, are
perfect complements?
a.
b.
c.
d.
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
10. If an individual's utility function is quasi-concave, his or her MRS will:
a. diminish as x is substituted for y.
b. increase as x is substituted for y.
c. be undefined except in special cases.
d. always depend only on the ratio of x to y.
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
11. If utility is given by then the bundle (3, 2) provides the same utility
as the bundle:
a. (1, 3).
b. (2, 3).
c. (4, 1).
d. (4, 2).
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
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Microeconomic Theory Basic Principles and Extensions,
12th Edition
Chapter_03_Preferences_and_Utility
1. Indifference curves:
a. may sometimes intersect.
b. are contour lines only of a linear utility function.
c. are convex if the utility function is quasi-concave.
d. shift when prices change.
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
2. For an individual who consumes only two goods, x and y, the opportunity cost of consuming
one more unit of x in terms of how much y must be given up is reflected by:
a. the individual's marginal rate of substitution.
b. the market prices of x and y.
c. the slope of the individual's indifference curve.
d. none of the above.
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
3. If bundles of goods A and B lie on the same indifference curve, one can assume the individual:
a. prefers bundle A to bundle B.
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, b. prefers bundle B to bundle A.
c. enjoys bundle A and B equally.
d. bundle A contains the same goods as bundle B.
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
Questions 4 and 5 refer to an individual whose utility function is given by:
.
4. With this utility function, the bundle (3,2) provides the same utility as the bundle:
a. (2, 3).
b. (2, 4).
c. (2, 5).
d. (3, 3).
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
5. For this utility function, the MRS:
a. depends on the values of x and y.
b. is always 0.
c. is always 2.
d. is always 4.
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
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,6. Which of these utility functions represent the same preferences as ?
a.
b.
c.
d. All of the above represent the same preferences.
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
7. If utility is given by , then the person's MRS at the point x = 5, y = 2 is given
by:
a. 0.4.
b. 1.0.
c. 2.5.
d. 5.0.
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
8. If utility is given by , this person's indifference curves are:
a. parabolas.
b. hyperbolas.
c. concentric circles.
d. straight lines.
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
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, 9. Which of the following utility functions best represents the idea that two goods, x and y, are
perfect complements?
a.
b.
c.
d.
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
10. If an individual's utility function is quasi-concave, his or her MRS will:
a. diminish as x is substituted for y.
b. increase as x is substituted for y.
c. be undefined except in special cases.
d. always depend only on the ratio of x to y.
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
11. If utility is given by then the bundle (3, 2) provides the same utility
as the bundle:
a. (1, 3).
b. (2, 3).
c. (4, 1).
d. (4, 2).
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
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