In: Economics
Is the following statement true or false? Briefly explain your answer. "Two consumers with utility functions of U(x,y)=x.y and V(x,y)=1/2ln(x)+1/2ln(y), respectively, have different preferences and therefore would rank baskets of goods x and y differently from each other.
Two different utility functions show same preferences if their respective MRS are same.
U = xy
MRS of U = MUx/MUy = (y/x) ----equation 1
V = 0.5lnx + 0.5lny
MRS of V = MUx/MUy = (0.5/x) / (0.5/y)
MRS of V = (y/x) ------equation 2
Using equation 1 and 2
MRS of U = MRS of V
Hence, the preferences are same and not different.
So, Statement is FALSE