On Thanksgiving, Jake's mother gives him a huge platter of food. If Jake were to keep eating just to please his mother (even when he really wanted to stop), his marginal utility would be:
A) the same as his total utility.
B) large.
C) minus one.
D) positive.
E) negative.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Marginal utility is the satisfaction derived from consuming one additional unit of a good. If Jake were to keep eating even when he didn't want to, the satisfaction he receives from each additional bite would decrease (as he becomes more and more full and possibly uncomfortable). This means that his marginal utility would be negative, reflecting a decrease in satisfaction.

On Thanksgiving, Jake's Mother Gives Him a Huge Platter of Food