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It is known that if a utility function is concave, then it is quasiconcave, and the preference relation is convex.

What can be said if a utility function is convex?

I've found on the Internet then in this case the function can be both quasiconcave and quasiconvex (how is this possible? linear function?) and is in this case preference relation concave?

I've managed to show that the utility function $u(x_1,x_2)=\operatorname{max}(x_1,x_2)$ is convex. What can be said about the preference relation?

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Concave utility functions are quasiconcave while convex utility functions are quasiconvex.

If $U()$ is convex then $-U()$ is concave and represents the 'opposite' preferences, so if you believe the first half of the above statement you can easily show that the second part is true.


A function is both concave and convex if and only if $$ \alpha f(x) + (1 - \alpha) f(y) = f\left( \alpha x + (1 - \alpha) y \right) $$ for $\alpha \in [0,1]$ and all $x,y$.

E.g.; linear functions have this property.


Because of the above, linear utility functions (but not only them) will be both quasiconvex and quasiconcave.

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  • $\begingroup$ I showed that max is a convex function. So it means that it is not quasiconcave and preference relation is not convex. Correct? $\endgroup$
    – Paul R
    Commented Nov 29, 2023 at 7:28
  • $\begingroup$ What are quasiconvex/quasiconcave preferences. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 29, 2023 at 7:37
  • $\begingroup$ Not preference, utility function. $\endgroup$
    – Paul R
    Commented Nov 29, 2023 at 7:48
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    $\begingroup$ @Giskard The property you mentioned is not true for $f(x,y)=(x+y)^2$. Consider $\alpha=\frac{1}{2}$, $(x',y')=(0,0)$ and $(x'',y'')=(2,2)$. $\alpha f(x',y')+(1-\alpha)f(x'',y'')=8 > 4 = f(\alpha (x',y')+(1-\alpha) (x'',y''))$. $\endgroup$
    – Amit
    Commented Nov 29, 2023 at 8:07
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    $\begingroup$ @Amit I've been out of the game for too long :/ Thank you! $\endgroup$
    – Giskard
    Commented Nov 29, 2023 at 9:02

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