Deck 21: The Theory of Consumer Choice

Question 1

Just as the theory of the competitive firm provides a more complete understanding of supply, the theory of consumer choice provides a more complete understanding of

A) demand.
B) profits.
C) production possibility frontiers.
D) wages.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Figure 21-1
The downward­sloping line on the figure represents a consumer's budget constraint.
Refer to Figure 21-1. If the consumer's income is $140, then what is the price of a CD?

A) $3
B) $5
C) $7
D) $9

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The theory of consumer choice is to demand as the theory of

A) public goods is to supply.
B) oligopoly is to supply.
C) the competitive firm is to supply.
D) comparative advantage is to supply.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The theory of consumer choice provides the foundation for understanding the

A) structure of a firm.
B) profitability of a firm.
C) demand for a firm's product.
D) supply of a firm's product.

Question 5

Which of the following does not represent a tradeoff facing a consumer?

A) choosing to purchase more of all goods
B) choosing to spend more time on leisure and less time on work
C) choosing to spend more now and consume less in the future
D) choosing to purchase less of one good in order to purchase more of another good

Question 6

Figure 21-1
The downward­sloping line on the figure represents a consumer's budget constraint.
Refer to Figure 21-1. If the price of a CD is $12, then the consumer's income amounts to

A) $140.
B) $180.
C) $210.
D) $240.

Question 7

How are the following three questions related: 1) Do all demand curves slope downward? 2) How do wages affect labor supply? 3) How do interest rates affect household saving?

A) They all relate to macroeconomics.
B) They all relate to monetary economics.
C) They all relate to the theory of consumer choice.
D) They are not related to each other in any way.

Question 8

Figure 21-1
The downward­sloping line on the figure represents a consumer's budget constraint.
Refer to Figure 21-1. A consumer who chooses to spend all of her income could be at which point(s) on the figure?

A) A only
B) E only
C) B, C, or D only
D) A, B, C, or D only

Question 9

Figure 21-2
The downward­sloping line on the figure represents a consumer's budget constraint.
Refer to Figure 21-2. Which points are affordable?

A) W, X, and Y only
B) Z only
C) V, W, X, and Y only
D) V, W, X, Y, and Z

Question 10

The theory of consumer choice most closely examines which of the following Ten Principles of Economics?

A) People face trade-offs.
B) Governments can sometimes improve market outcomes.
C) Trade can make everyone better off.
D) Markets are usually a good way to organize economic activity.

Question 11

The theory of consumer choice illustrates the

A) importance of property rights in creating efficient markets.
B) ability of a single economic actor to have a substantial influence on market prices.
C) the trade-offs that people face in their role as purchasers.
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 12

The theory of consumer choice

A) underlies the concept of the demand for a particular good.
B) underlies the concept of the supply of a particular good.
C) ignores, for the sake of simplicity, the trade-offs that consumers face.
D) can be applied to many questions about household decisions, but it cannot be applied to questions concerning wages and labor supply.

Question 13

The theory of consumer choice examines how

A) firms make profit-maximizing decisions.
B) consumers make utility-maximizing decisions.
C) wages are determined in competitive labor markets.
D) prices are determined in competitive goods markets.

Question 14

When a consumer spends less time enjoying leisure and more time working, she has

A) lower income and therefore cannot afford more consumption.
B) lower income and therefore can afford more consumption.
C) higher income and therefore cannot afford more consumption.
D) higher income and therefore can afford more consumption.

Question 15

Figure 21-2
The downward­sloping line on the figure represents a consumer's budget constraint.
Refer to Figure 21-2. A consumer who chooses to spend all of her income could be at which point(s) on the figure?

A) V only
B) Z only
C) V, W, X, or Y only
D) W, X, or Y only

Question 16

Figure 21-2
The downward­sloping line on the figure represents a consumer's budget constraint.
Refer to Figure 21-2. If the consumer's income is $100, then what is the price of an apple?

A) $0.50
B) $0.75
C) $1.00
D) $1.25

Question 17

Figure 21-1
The downward­sloping line on the figure represents a consumer's budget constraint.
Refer to Figure 21-1. All of the points identified on the figure represent affordable consumption options with the exception of

A) A.
B) E.
C) A and E.
D) None of the above are correct. All of the points identified on the figure are affordable.

Question 18

Figure 21-2
The downward­sloping line on the figure represents a consumer's budget constraint.
Refer to Figure 21-2. Which of the following statements is not correct?

A) Points W, X, and Y all cost the consumer the same amount of money.
B) Point Z is unaffordable for the consumer given his budget constraint.
C) Point V costs less than point Z.
D) Points W, X, and Y give the consumer the same level of satisfaction.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is correct?

A) The theory of consumer choice provides a more complete understanding of supply, just as the theory of the competitive firm provides a more complete understanding of demand.
B) The theory of consumer choice provides a more complete understanding of demand, just as the theory of the competitive firm provides a more complete understanding of supply.
C) Monetary theory provides a more complete understanding of demand, just as the theory of the competitive firm provides a more complete understanding of supply.
D) The theory of public choice provides a more complete understanding of supply, just as the theory of the competitive firm provides a more complete understanding of demand.

Question 20

The theory of consumer choice examines

A) the determination of output in competitive markets.
B) the tradeoffs inherent in decisions made by consumers.
C) how consumers select inputs into manufacturing production processes.
D) the determination of prices in competitive markets.

Question 21

Figure 21-3
In each case, the budget constraint moves from BC-1 to BC-2.
Refer to Figure 21-3. Which of the graphs in the figure reflects an increase in the price of good Y only?

A) graph a
B) graph b
C) graph c
D) graph d

Question 22

Figure 21-3
In each case, the budget constraint moves from BC-1 to BC-2.
Refer to Figure 21-3. Which of the graphs in the figure could reflect a simultaneous decrease in the price of good X and increase in the price of good Y?

A) (ii) only
B) (iii) only
C) (ii) or (iv) only
D) None of the above is correct.

Question 23

Figure 21-3
In each case, the budget constraint moves from BC-1 to BC-2.
Refer to Figure 21-3. Which of the graphs in the figure could reflect a simultaneous decrease in the prices of both goods?

A) (i) only
B) (iv) only
C) (ii) or (iii) only
D) None of the above is correct.

Question 24

Figure 21-5
(a) (b)
Refer to Figure 21-5. In graph (a), what is the price of good Y relative to the price of good X (i.e., Py/Px)?
A) 1/3

A) 1/4
B) 3
C) 4

Question 25

Figure 21-4
In each case, the budget constraint moves from BC-1 to BC-2.
Refer to Figure 21-4. Which of the graphs in the figure could reflect an increase in income?

A) graph a
B) graph b
C) graph d
D) None of the above is correct.

Question 26

Figure 21-5
(a) (b)
Refer to Figure 21-5. In graph (a), what is the price of good X relative to the price of good Y (i.e., PX/PY)?
A) 1/3

A) 1/4
B) 3
C) 4

Question 27

Figure 21-5
(a) (b)
Refer to Figure 21-5. In graph (b), if income is equal to $420, then the price of good X is
A) $1.

A) $3.
B) $10.
C) $30.

Question 28

Figure 21-5
(a) (b)
Refer to Figure 21-5. In graph (a), if income is equal to $200, then the price of good X is
A) $12.

A) $16.
B) $20.
C) $24.

Question 29

Figure 21-3
In each case, the budget constraint moves from BC-1 to BC-2.
Refer to Figure 21-3. Which of the graphs in the figure reflects an increase in the price of good X only?

A) graph a
B) graph b
C) graph c
D) graph d

Question 30

Figure 21-5
(a) (b)
Refer to Figure 21-5. Assume that a consumer faces the budget constraint shown in graph (a) in January and the budget constraint shown in graph (b) in February. If the consumer's income has remained constant, then what has happened to prices between January and February?

A) The price of X has fallen, but there could not have been a change in the price of Y.
B) The price of Y has fallen, but there could not have been a change in the price of X.
C) The price of X has fallen, and the price of Y has risen.
D) The price of Y has fallen, and the price of X has risen.

Question 31

Figure 21-5
(a) (b)
Refer to Figure 21-5. In graph (a), if income is equal to $200, then the price of good Y is
A) $3.

A) $5.
B) $7.
C) $10.

Question 32

Figure 21-4
In each case, the budget constraint moves from BC-1 to BC-2.
Refer to Figure 21-4. Which of the graphs in the figure could reflect a simultaneous increase in the price of good X and decrease in the price of good Y?

A) graph a
B) graph b
C) graph c
D) graph d

Question 33

Figure 21-5
(a) (b)
Refer to Figure 21-5. In graph (b), what is the price of good Y relative to the price of good X (i.e., PY/PX)?
A) 1

A) 1/3
B) 3
C) 10

Question 34

Figure 21-3
In each case, the budget constraint moves from BC-1 to BC-2.
Refer to Figure 21-3. Which of the graphs in the figure reflects a decrease in the price of good X only?

A) graph a
B) graph b
C) graph c
D) graph d

Question 35

Figure 21-4
In each case, the budget constraint moves from BC-1 to BC-2.
Refer to Figure 21-4. Which of the graphs in the figure could reflect a decrease in income?

A) graph a
B) graph b
C) graph d
D) None of the above is correct.

Question 36

Figure 21-6
Refer to Figure 21-6. Suppose a consumer has $100 in income, the price of popcorn is $2, and the value of B is 100. What is the price of Mt. Dew?

A) $1
B) $2
C) $5
D) $100

Question 37

Figure 21-5
(a) (b)
Refer to Figure 21-5. In graph (b), what is the price of good X relative to the price of good Y (i.e., Px/Py)?
A) 1

A) 1/3
B) 3
C) 10

Question 38

Figure 21-3
In each case, the budget constraint moves from BC-1 to BC-2.
Refer to Figure 21-3. Which of the graphs in the figure reflects a decrease in the price of good Y only?

A) graph a
B) graph b
C) graph c
D) graph d

Question 39

Figure 21-2
The downward­sloping line on the figure represents a consumer's budget constraint.
Refer to Figure 21-2. Which of the following statements is correct?

A) Points W, X, and Y all cost the consumer the same amount of money.
B) Point V is unaffordable for the consumer given his budget constraint.
C) Point Z costs less than point V.
D) Points W, X, and Y give the consumer the same level of satisfaction.

Question 40

Figure 21-5
(a) (b)
Refer to Figure 21-5. In graph (b), if income is equal to $420, then the price of good Y is
A) $1.

A) $3.
B) $10.
C) $30.

Question 41

Figure 21-6
Refer to Figure 21-6. Suppose a consumer has $200 in income, the price of popcorn is $1, and the price of Mt. Dew is $2. What is the value of A?
A) 100

A) 200
B) 50
C) 25

Question 42

Figure 21-8
Refer to Figure 21-8. If the price of good X is $3, and your budget constraint is BC, what is the price of good Y?

A) $3.33
B) $5
C) $15
D) $30

Question 43

The following diagram shows two budget lines: A and B. Which of the following could explain the change in the budget line from A to B?

A) a simultaneous decrease in the price of X and the price of Y
B) an increase in income
C) a decrease in income and a decrease in the price of Y
D) Both a and b are correct.

Question 44

Figure 21-7
Refer to Figure 21-7. Suppose a consumer has $200 in income, the price of a book is $5, and the price of a DVD is $10. What is the value of A?

A) 40
B) 20
C) 10
D) 2

Question 45

Figure 21-6
Refer to Figure 21-6. Suppose a consumer has $100 in income, the price of Mt. Dew is $2, and the value of A is 200. What is the price of popcorn?
A) $0.50

A) $1
B) $2
C) $4

Question 46

Figure 21-9
Refer to Figure 21-9. If the consumer has $600 in income, what is the price of good Y?
A) $20

A) $6
B) $3
D) $0.33

Question 47

Figure 21-6
Refer to Figure 21-6. Suppose a consumer has $200 in income, the price of popcorn is $1, and the price of Mt. Dew is $2. What is the value of B?
A) 100

A) 200
B) 50
C) 25

Question 48

Figure 21-7
Refer to Figure 21-7. Suppose the price of a book is $15, the price of a DVD is $10, the value of A is 5, and the value of B is 7.5. How much income does the consumer have?

A) $150
B) $100
C) $75
D) $37.50

Question 49

Figure 21-9
Refer to Figure 21-9. If the price of good Y is $5, what is the price of good X?

A) $500
B) $150
C) $16.67
D) $1.50

Question 50

Figure 21-8
Refer to Figure 21-8. You have $300 to spend on good X and good Y. If good X costs $30 and good Y costs $50, your budget constraint is

A) AB.
B) BC.
C) CD.
D) DE.

Question 51

The following diagram shows two budget lines: A and B. Which of the following could explain the change in the budget line from A to B?

A) a decrease in the price of X
B) an increase in the price of Y
C) a decrease in the price of Y
D) More than one of the above could explain this change.

Question 52

Figure 21-9
Refer to Figure 21-9. If the price of good X is $15, what is the price of good Y?
A) $1,500

A) $50
B) $5
D) $0.50

Question 53

Figure 21-8
Refer to Figure 21-8. You have $36 to spend on good X and good Y. If good X costs $6 and good Y costs $12, your budget constraint is

A) AB.
B) BC.
C) CD.
D) DE.

Question 54

The following diagram shows two budget lines: A and B. Which of the following could explain the change in the budget line from A to B?

A) a decrease in income and a decrease in the price of X
B) a decrease in income and an increase in the price of X
C) an increase in income and a decrease in the price of X
D) an increase in income and an increase in the price of X

Question 55

Figure 21-9
Refer to Figure 21-9. If the consumer has $600 in income, what is the price of good X?
A) $20

A) $6
B) $3
D) $0.33

Question 56

Figure 21-7
Refer to Figure 21-7. Suppose a consumer has $200 in income, the price of a book is $5, and the price of a DVD is $10. What is the value of B?

A) 40
B) 20
C) 10
D) 2

Question 57

Figure 21-8
Refer to Figure 21-8. If the price of good X is $5, and your budget constraint is DE, what is the price of good Y?

A) $10
B) $5
C) $2.50
D) $1.67

Question 58

Figure 21-8
Refer to Figure 21-8. You have $600 to spend on good X and good Y. If good X costs $100 and good Y costs $100, your budget constraint is

A) AB.
B) BC.
C) CD.
D) DE.

Question 59

Figure 21-6
Refer to Figure 21-6. Suppose the price of popcorn is $2, the price of Mt. Dew is $4, the value of A is 30, and the value of B is 15. How much income does the consumer have?

A) $120
B) $80
C) $60
D) $30

Question 60

Figure 21-7
Refer to Figure 21-7. Suppose a consumer has $500 in income, the price of a book is $10, and the value of B is 50. What is the price of a DVD?

A) $5
B) $10
C) $50
D) $100

Question 61

Karen, Tara, and Chelsea each buy ice cream and paperback novels to enjoy on hot summer days. Ice cream costs $5 per gallon, and paperback novels cost $8 each. Karen has a budget of $80, Tara has a budget of $60, and Chelsea has a budget of $40 to spend on ice cream and paperback novels. Who can afford to purchase 8 gallons of ice cream and 5 paperback novels?

A) Karen, Tara, and Chelsea
B) Karen only
C) Tara and Chelsea but not Karen
D) none of the women

Question 62

The following diagram shows a budget constraint for a particular consumer. If the price of X is $20, then what is the price of Y?

A) $15
B) $25
C) $35
D) $70

Question 63

A budget constraint illustrates the

A) prices that a consumer chooses to pay for products he consumes.
B) purchases made by consumers.
C) consumption bundles that a consumer can afford.
D) consumption bundles that give a consumer equal satisfaction.

Question 64

The following diagram shows a budget constraint for a particular consumer. If the price of X is $12, then what is the price of Y?

A) $9
B) $16
C) $24
D) $30

Question 65

Suppose a consumer has an income of $800 per month and that she spends her entire income each month on beer and bratwurst. The price of a pint of beer is $5, and the price of a bratwurst is $4. Which of the following combinations of beers and bratwursts represents a point that would lie to the interior of the consumer's budget constraint?

A) 160 beers and 200 bratwursts
B) 40 beers and 50 bratwursts
C) 80 beers and 100 bratwursts
D) 160 beers and 0 bratwursts

Question 66

A budget constraint shows

A) the maximum utility that a consumer can achieve for a given level of income.
B) a series of bundles that cost the consumer the same amount of money.
C) a series of bundles that give the consumer the same level of utility.
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 67

Consider two goods: peanuts and crackers. The slope of the consumer's budget constraint is measured by the

A) consumer's income divided by the price of crackers.
B) relative price of peanuts and crackers.
C) consumer's marginal rate of substitution.
D) number of peanuts purchased divided by the number of crackers purchased.

Question 68

Karen, Tara, and Chelsea each buy ice cream and paperback novels to enjoy on hot summer days. Ice cream costs $5 per gallon, and paperback novels cost $8 each. Karen has a budget of $80, Tara has a budget of $60, and Chelsea has a budget of $40 to spend on ice cream and paperback novels. Who can afford to purchase 5 gallons of ice cream and 8 paperback novels?

A) Karen, Tara, and Chelsea
B) Karen only
C) Tara and Chelsea but not Karen
D) none of the women

Question 69

Abby, Bobbi, and Deborah each buy ice cream and paperback novels to enjoy on hot summer days. Ice cream costs $5 per gallon, and paperback novels cost $8 each. Abby has a budget of $80, Bobbi has a budget of $60, and Deborah has a budget of $40 to spend on ice cream and paperback novels. Who can afford to purchase 4 gallons of ice cream and 5 paperback novels?

A) Abby, Bobbi, and Deborah
B) Abby only
C) Abby and Bobbi, but not Deborah
D) None of the women can afford to purchase 4 gallons of ice cream and 5 paperback novels.

Question 70

Scenario 21-1
Suppose the price of hot wings is $10, the price of beer is $1, and the consumer's income is $50. In addition, suppose the consumer's budget constraint illustrates hot wings on the horizontal axis and beer on the vertical axis.
Refer to Scenario 21-1. If the price of beer doubles to $2, then the

A) budget constraint intersects the vertical axis at 25 beers.
B) slope of the budget constraint rises to -2.
C) slope of the budget constraint falls to -4.
D) budget constraint shifts inward in a parallel fashion.

Question 71

Abby, Bobbi, and Deborah each buy ice cream and paperback novels to enjoy on hot summer days. Ice cream costs $5 per gallon, and paperback novels cost $8 each. Abby has a budget of $80, Bobbi has a budget of $60, and Deborah has a budget of $40 to spend on ice cream and paperback novels. Which of the following statements is correct?

A) Each woman faces the same budget constraint.
B) The slope of the budget constraint is the same for each woman.
C) The area underneath the budget constraint is larger for Deborah than for Abby.
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 72

Scenario 21-1
Suppose the price of hot wings is $10, the price of beer is $1, and the consumer's income is $50. In addition, suppose the consumer's budget constraint illustrates hot wings on the horizontal axis and beer on the vertical axis.
Refer to Scenario 21-1. If the consumer's income rises to $60, then the budget line for hot wings and beer would

A) now intersect the horizontal axis at 6 orders of hot wings and the vertical axis at 60 beers.
B) not change.
C) now intersect the horizontal axis at 4 orders of hot wings and the vertical axis at 16 beers.
D) rotate outward along the beer axis.

Question 73

Jack and Diane each buy pizza and paperback novels. Pizza costs $3 per slice, and paperback novels cost $5 each. Jack has a budget of $30, and Diane has a budget of $15 to spend on pizza and paperback novels. Which consumer(s) can afford to purchase 5 slices of pizza and 5 paperback novels?

A) Jack only
B) Diane only
C) both Jack and Diane
D) neither Jack nor Diane

Question 74

Jack and Diane each buy pizza and paperback novels. Pizza costs $3 per slice, and paperback novels cost $5 each. Jack has a budget of $30, and Diane has a budget of $15 to spend on pizza and paperback novels. Which consumer(s) can afford to purchase 3 slices of pizza and 4 paperback novels?

A) Jack only
B) Diane only
C) both Jack and Diane
D) neither Jack nor Diane

Question 75

Budget constraints exist for consumers because

A) their utility from consuming goods eventually reaches a maximum level.
B) even with unlimited incomes they have to pay for each good they consume.
C) they have to pay for goods, and they have limited incomes.
D) prices and incomes are inversely related.

Question 76

Jack and Diane each buy pizza and paperback novels. Pizza costs $3 per slice, and paperback novels cost $5 each. Jack has a budget of $30, and Diane has a budget of $15 to spend on pizza and paperback novels. Which consumer(s) can afford to purchase 5 slices of pizza and 3 paperback novels?

A) Jack only
B) Diane only
C) both Jack and Diane
D) neither Jack nor Diane

Question 77

The following diagram shows a budget constraint for a particular consumer. If the price of X is $5, what is the consumer's income?

A) $10
B) $30
C) $150
D) $300

Question 78

Suppose a consumer has an income of $800 per month and that she spends her entire income each month on beer and bratwurst. The price of a pint of beer is $5, and the price of a bratwurst is $4. Which of the following combinations of beers and bratwursts represents a point that would lie directly on the consumer's budget constraint?

A) 160 beers and 200 bratwursts
B) 40 beers and 50 bratwursts
C) 80 beers and 100 bratwursts
D) 80 beers and 0 bratwursts

Question 79

Suppose a consumer spends his income on CDs and DVDs. If his income decreases, the budget constraint for CDs and DVDs will

A) shift outward, parallel to the original budget constraint.
B) shift inward, parallel to the original budget constraint.
C) rotate outward along the CD axis because he can afford more CDs.
D) rotate outward along the DVD axis because he can afford more DVDs.

Question 80

Suppose a consumer has an income of $800 per month and that she spends her entire income each month on beer and bratwurst. The price of a pint of beer is $5, and the price of a bratwurst is $4. Which of the following combinations of beers and bratwursts represents a point that would lie to the exterior of the consumer's budget constraint?

A) 160 beers and 200 bratwursts
B) 40 beers and 50 bratwursts
C) 80 beers and 100 bratwursts
D) 160 beers and 0 bratwursts