Lisa consumes only pizzas (P) and burritos (B). Her utility function i

Lisa consumes only pizzas (P) and burritos (B). Her utility function is U = P0.5 B0.5. The price of per pizza is $10 and the price per burrito is $5. In equilibrium, Lisa consumes 4 pizzas. Using Lisa’s utility function, calculate how many burritos she consumes.

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER

The marginal utility of pizza equals B0.5/2P0.5. The marginal utility of a burrito equals P0.5/2B0.5. In equilibrium, the ratio of the marginal utilities will equal the ratio of prices. The ratio of marginal utilities simplifies to B/P. The ratio of prices is 10/5. Since we know that Lisa consumes 4 pizzas, she must consume 8 burritos.