In: Economics
1) Suppose Peggy consumes only two goods, gasoline and
cigarettes. Her income is $120, the price of cigarettes per pack is
$4 and the price of gasoline per gallon is $2. Currently, she
consumes 40 gallons of gas at optimal level.
a) Sketch the following budget lines. Be sure to show how you
calculated the slopes and end points. (Put gas on the X
axis.).
b) What is optimal level consumption of cigarettes for Peggy? Use
an arbitrary convex indifference curve, indicating the current
consumption combination is optimal.
c) If the government imposes a sales tax of $1 per unit on
gasoline, Peggy will consume 28 gallons of gas. Draw the new budget
constraint and the new optimal basket. Be sure to show how you
calculated the slopes and end points. (Put gas on the X
axis.).
d) What is optimal level consumption of cigarettes for Peggy? Use
an arbitrary convex indifference curve, indicating the current
consumption combination is optimal.