Questions tagged [microeconomics]
Microeconomics is a branch of economics that studies the market behavior of individual actors (usually firms and consumers) and the aggregation of their actions in different institutional frameworks (usually the market).
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Proof of Second Welfare Theorem with infinitely many goods
I'm trying to understand the proof of the Second Welfare Theorem and I'm still struggling with the intuition behind the use of a linear functional as a mathematical instrument in order to prove that ...
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About Two Methods of Computing Bayesian Equilibria
Question
I want to compute the Bayesian equilibria for the following Bayesian game:
With probability $p$, player 1 would be of type 1.1. With probability $1-p$, player 1 would be of type 1.2. Player ...
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Economics as non zero sum game [closed]
If economics is not a zero sum game then why its difficult to earn money.I mean just increase the size of the cake and distribute it.
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Prove that any lexicographic preference $(u_1,u_2)$ must be complete and transitive
Let $\succsim$ be a lexicographic preference represented with $(u_1,u_2)$. $x\succsim y$ if $u_1(x)>u_1(y)$ OR $u_1(x)=u_1(y)$ and $u_2(x)\geq u_2(y)$.
Is it obvious that $\succsim$ must be both ...
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Equivalent assumptions in Revealed Preference and Classical Preference Theories
I have read that there are dualities between Revealed Preference Theory and Classical Preference Theory.
Suppose, I have $X$ as the set of all conceivable choices, and $\mathscr{B} \subseteq 2^X$ the ...
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Zero-Sum Game with two Mixed Equilibrium Interpretation
In the attached Zero Sum Game, i have solved for two Mixed Nash Equilibrium, $(l,m)$ and $(m,r.)$
In $(l,m)$ the payoff is $8/5$ to $P_1$, and $-8/5$ to $P_2$. Here $P_1$ mixes between Top and ...
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Are there Sequential Equilibria that are not Trembling Hand Perfect Equilibria, that don't involve Weakly Dominated strategies?
I'm taking an advanced course (graduate level) in Game Theory. My class has covered several equilibrium concepts, up to Sequential Equilibrium.
The professor said that there are already more ...
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How do I measure well-being without Utility function?
This is a question from a test: "A consumer with \$1000 income spends \$200 on good X per month. His income increases to \$1100, and price of good X increases 50%, with no other price changes. In ...
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bertrand duopoly with discrete price
There is a 2 firm, engaging in price competition. Total costs are CA(q)=10q
and CB(q)=21q and the inverse demand is P(q)=120-q
What is the equilibrium profits?
What is the maximum amount that firm A ...
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Lump sum transfers to implement any Pareto efficient equilibrium as the market outcome
If we have 2 consumers (a and b) and 2 goods (x and y) -- so we are in an exchange economy setup.
From what I understand, due to 2FWT, we can choose any Pareto efficient outcome (x*), calculate the ...
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How to solve a Leontief Production function?
I am solving for the Leontief production function in the form of y= min {L^1/2 , K^1/2} , in the short run (fixed K) and in the long run respectively. I am asked to solve the production in terms of w, ...
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Consumer surplus calculation
Suppose $P(Q) = 10-0.5Q$. If a firm is producing $q_1$ and $q_2$ units from its two different machines such that $Q = q_1 + q_2$, what is the consumer surplus at $(q_1, q_2)$?
I think the consumer ...
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Question About Proof of Proposition 3.C.1 in MWG - Step 1
I have difficulties understanding the first step of the proof of Proposition 3.C.1 in MWG.
Proposition 3.C.1$\quad$ Suppose that the rational preference relation $\succsim$ on $X$ is continuous. Then ...
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Understanding the definition of monotone
In Microeconomic Theory by Mas-Colell, Whinston, and Green, the definition of monotone preference relations is given as follows:
Definition 3.B.2$\quad$ The preference relation $\succsim$ on $X$ is ...
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When are marginal rates of substitution consistent with a utility function?
Is it known when a marginal-rate-of-substitution function can be rationalized by some utility function?
More precisely, and focusing on the case of two goods, what conditions are required on $M: (\...
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Total Effect, Substitution Effect, and Income Effect
We were given this information to compute the total, substitution, and income effects.
$U=7.5x^{0.3} \cdot 5y^{0.2}$,
$\text{Income} = 10,000$,
$P_x = 5$,
$P_y = 2.5$,
$P_{x'}=4$.
I am having a hard ...
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Paper suggestions on innovation-economics
I am in search of seminal theoretical papers in innovation economics, with a particular interest in recent works that model innovation processes. Ideally, I'm looking for papers that explore the "...
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Derive indirect utility function - Problem with CES
Consider the following CES utility function for the $h$ household
\begin{equation}
U^h(x^h_1,\ldots,x^h_N) = \left[ \sum_{j=1}^{N} (x^h_j - \zeta^h_j)^{\frac{\sigma-1}{\sigma}} \right]^{\frac{\sigma}{\...
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Net product marginal in Acemoglu's article "Modeling inefficient institutions"
I'm reading lecture notes by Acemoglu regarding institutions and I'm trying to study his famous model of non-democratic institutions, deeply described in his article "Modeling inefficient ...
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Modelling agglomeration effects
In this video, Glaeser sets up a demand curve for housing in a city, where there are agglomeration effects: bigger cities have higher wages, so demand (willingness-to-pay) is increasing in city size.
...
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Convex to origin - precise definition
This question asks about what "convex to origin" means. IMO even though there are half a dozen answers, they are all unsatisfactory. So in this question I ask for a precise definition of &...
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Finding Utility Function for Optimal Allocation in Consumer Choice Model
I'm working on a consumer choice model involving a consumer with one good and a numeraire. In this model, the price of the numeraire is assumed to be one. My objective is to identify the utility ...
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Marginal Costs of Supplying Space to Space Market and the 4Q Model - Property Investment
In analysis of the Property Investment Market Supply and Demand Curve, the Supply Curve is kinked, reflecting the high inelasticity of supply in the short run. The Supply Curve rises after the Kink, ...
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Regression with one independent variable bounded for some observations
I am investigating the effect of a policy on land price.
The land is transferred by English auctions. My regression looks like this:
$$
\ln(y)=\beta_0+\beta_1 x_1+\beta_2 x_2+u,
$$
where $x_1$ is the ...
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Strict monotonicity implies FOSD under EU?
I think this result is very simple and very useful. However, I find no paper cover it.
Is it on some textbook like MWG?
Strict monotonicity means: $f(s)\succ g(s)$ for all $s$ implies $f\succ g$ and $...
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Definition of economics
What is the accepted definition of economics?
I've read basically two versions, one that defines it as the study of scarcity and the other as the study of how to coordinate human desires given ...
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What is a utility function rationalizes these preferences?
For a consumer deciding between goods A and B, with a budget of w:
If A and B are the same price (or if A is cheaper), the consumer will spend their entire budget on A.
As the relative price of A ...
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Individual Consumers Representation on the Demand Curve
I recently watched an educational video titled “Understanding the Demand Curve: Shifts and Consumer Surplus”. In the video, individual consumers were associated with specific points on the demand ...
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Competitive input markets and allocative efficiency
Suppose two firms are operating in a competitive input and output markets. If the two firms' production functions are $(k_1l_1)^{1/3}$ and $(1+k_1)^{-1} (l_2)^{1/2}$ where $k_1, l_1, l_2$ denote the ...
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Judge prosecutor example of Kameinica and Gentzkow
Based on Kamenica and Gentzkow example about the prosecutor and the judge. The utilities of the sender and the receiver are $v(\alpha,\omega)=\alpha$ and $u(\alpha,\omega)=-(\alpha-\omega)^2$.
The ...
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Tastes in Cobb-Douglas vs CES: Different degree of homogeneity
The question has been reworded based on Giskard's comment
If we have a Cobb-Douglas function:
$$U_1 = x_1^{\alpha_1} x_2^{\alpha_2}$$
The degree of homogenity depends on tastes $\alpha_1$ and $\...
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Opportunity Costs and Trade conditions
A and B can both bake cakes or grow carrots such that they are each self sufficient, or they can each specialize in one activity and trade between themselves. Cakes and carrots are both desirable for ...
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Von Neumann-Morgenstern utility and taxes
"Consider a risk-averse individual with Von Neumann-Morgenstern utility and who invests in a risky asset. If the return on the risky asset is taxed, so the consumer has an incentive to invest ...
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Averaging estimates of cross-price elasticity
We have data for 3 goods (equilibrium prices and quantities) and we want to know the cross-price elasticities among them.
I think, this could be estimated as the following system of regressions:
$$ \...
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Question About Stable Matrices - MWG Mathematical Appendix M.D Matrices: Negative (Semi)Definiteness and Other Properties
I am self-studying the mathematical appendix of Microeconomic Theory (MWG). They defined a stable matrix as follows:
Definition$\quad$ A matrix is stable if all of its characteristic values have ...
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How to aggregate goods with different units of measurement to reduce the economy with a Cobb Douglas utility function?
I want to model a economy where consumers have a Cobb Douglas utility function and where X1 = goods that pay a value added TAX (VAT), and X2 = goods that are exempt from this tax.
I am working with ...
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How to derive the indirect utility function of $u(x_1,x_2) = x_2+ 2\sqrt{x_1}$?
I derived the utility $u(x_1,x_2) = x_2 + 2\sqrt{x_1}$ from the indirect utility $V(x_1,x_2) = \frac{y}{p_2} + \frac{p_2}{p_1}$ but cannot go the other direction without finding very complicated ...
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Is cross-price elasticity a Cobb-Douglas production function?
This may seem like a silly question... Well... I guess, because it really is... But I have just realized that the intuition behind both principles may not be mutually exclusive.
Consider we would like ...
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What is the frisch elasticity and its meaning?
I understand that Frisch elasticity is the "elasticity of hours worked to the wage rate".
I wonder why then we use this specific naming only for this?
Is this to make it clear what this ...
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Proof that utility function is differentiable
after a little problem (I asked my question in the answer section, apologize, all my bad for this), I repost my question here with the same message :
"I'm new on economics stackexchange, and I've ...
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How to get the function that shows the relationship between wage and labor supplied
In the purchase-leisure trade-off curve, we get the relationship between wage and working hours. But how can we get the relationship between wage and quantity of labor supplied? The demand curve is ...
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In a two-good world, if one good is a Giffen good then the other is a good luxury
In a two-good world, if one good is a Giffen good then the other is a good luxury.
This is a false statement. Reason: If X is a Giffen good then Y must be a normal good. But we cannot get any ...
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True or False: If there is no money illusion, once all price elasticity is known, the income elasticity of commodity demand can be calculated
True, false or uncertain: If there is no money illusion, once all price elasticity is known, the income elasticity of commodity demand can be calculated.
My answer is false. I don't think it's ...
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Which of these two lotteries, a consumer with Von-Neumann Morgenstern preferences will choose under exponential distribution?
Consider two lotteries each having an exponential distribution. The function of
cumulative distribution of an exponential distribution is:
$$F(x;\lambda)=1-e^{-\lambda x} \forall x \in \mathbb R_{+}....
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How to show that it is possible to approximate this risk premium?
Suppose a consumer with Von-Neumann Morgenstern preferences is faced with two risks and can only eliminate one. Let $\tilde{\omega}= \omega_1$ with probability p and $\tilde{\omega}= \omega_2$ with ...
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Confusion regarding the Slutsky equation
I'm reading Henderson and Quandt's Microeconomic Theory textbook and in the derivation process of the slutsky equation the final formula confused me a bit. The first term on the right of the equation ...
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How to force two utility functions representing the same preference to generate expected utility functions representing the same order on lotteries?
Let $i$ be an agent, and let $A=\{x,y,z\}$ be a set of three alternatives. Then, suppose that player $i$’s linear order (i.e., complete, transitive, antisymmetric and reflexive binary relation) on $A$,...
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Equilibrium with step function demand and supply
How do I solve a system of equations for equilibrium where the demand and supply functions are both step functions?
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Market for capital goods of housing: Name of the model
I am searching for a model of the market for capital goods applied on purchase prices, rents, and supply of new housing.
The model, operating in continuous time, considers prices as a function of ...
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Labor in a monopsony
I understand that workers in a competitive labor market will take the market rate as given. Firms can hire as many workers as they want at the market rate. Why doesn't this apply to monopsonies? If ...