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The MRS measures how much of a good you are willing to give up in exchange for one more unit of the other good, keeping utility constant. The MRS diminishes along a convex indifference curve in that as you move down along the indifference curve, you are willing to give up less and less of the one good in exchange for the other. The MRS is also the slope of the indifference curve, which increases (becomes less negative) as you move down along the indifference curve. The MRS is constant along a linear indifference curve, since in this case the slope does not change. The consumer is always willing to trade the same number of units of one good in exchange for the other.

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Why are indifference curves convex?

Indifference curves are convex because of the principle of diminishing marginal rate of substitution. This means that as a person consumes more of one good, they are willing to give up less of another good to maintain the same level of satisfaction. This leads to a convex shape on the indifference curve.


Why does opportunity cost decreases on the Indifference curve?

If our preferences convex, the indifference curve exhibits decreasing marginal rate of substitution. That is, the more you consume of good X, then you are willing to give up less of good Y. Thus, the opportunity cost of exchanging good Y decreases as we get more of good X.


Why indifference curve is convex to origin?

Indifference curve is convex to the origin.This means that the slope of indifference curve decreases as we move the curve from left to right.This can be explained in terms of Marginal rate of substitution of good X for good Y. The marginal rate of substitution is the maximum amount of Y the consumer is willing to give up to get an additional unit of X.This specifies the terms of trade-off between bundles of goods among which the consumer is indifferent. As the consumer moves down the curve he acquires more X and is left with less Y.So the amount of Y he would be willing to give up to get an additional unit of X becomes progressively smaller as is natural. So, the MRSxy diminishes as he moves from left to right.The convexity of the indifference curve illustrate the diminishing rate of substitution of X for Y associated with the movement down the curve from left to right.


What does a consumer's indifference curve do?

A consumer's indifference curve represents a graphical illustration of different combinations of two goods that provide the same level of utility or satisfaction to the consumer. Points along the curve indicate that the consumer is indifferent between those combinations, meaning they would derive equal satisfaction from any of them. The shape of the curve typically reflects the consumer's preferences and the rate at which they are willing to substitute one good for another. Indifference curves never intersect and are typically convex to the origin, illustrating diminishing marginal rates of substitution.


Why is indifference curve of normal good convex to origin?

Indifference curves are convex to the point of origin of the two axes. The curve is relatively steep at first in its left hand portion and tends to become flatter in its right hand portion. Thus, as we move along the curve from left downwards to the right, the absolute slope of the indifference curve decreases.. This property of indifference curve is based on the principle of diminishing marginal rate of substitution, explained in the previous section. In Fig., as the consumer reduces the consumption of commodity 'Y' and increases the consumption of commodity 'X', his urge for more units of 'X' declines continuously. On the other hand, he is willing to part with fewer and fewer units of commodity' Y' at each stage to obtain each additional unit of 'X'. In other words, the marginal rate of substitution of 'X' for 'Y' declines, as the consumer travels down on an indifference curve.Fig.Suppose, 'A', 'B', 'C', and 'D' are four points on indifference curve IC in Fig.. Initially, the consumer is willing to part with Y1 Y2 units of commodity' Y' to get one unit X1 X2 of commodity 'X'. For additional one unit X2 X3 of 'X', he is ready to sacrifice Y2 Y3 units of 'Y'. For next one unit X3 X4 of 'X', the consumer would like to give up only Y3 Y4 units of 'Y'. Clearly, the increase in 'X' commodity is uniform, whereas 'Y' commodity is decreasing at a diminishing rate. Symbolically,X1 X2=X2 X3=X3 X4,whileY1 Y2 >Y2 Y3 >Y3 Y4Hence, indifference curves are convex to the origin. Concavity of the indifference curves is against the principle of diminishing marginal rate of substitution.

Related Questions

Why are indifference curves convex?

Indifference curves are convex because of the principle of diminishing marginal rate of substitution. This means that as a person consumes more of one good, they are willing to give up less of another good to maintain the same level of satisfaction. This leads to a convex shape on the indifference curve.


Why isoquants convex?

diminshing marginal rate of substitution between factors


Why does opportunity cost decreases on the Indifference curve?

If our preferences convex, the indifference curve exhibits decreasing marginal rate of substitution. That is, the more you consume of good X, then you are willing to give up less of good Y. Thus, the opportunity cost of exchanging good Y decreases as we get more of good X.


Why indifference curve is convex to origin?

Indifference curve is convex to the origin.This means that the slope of indifference curve decreases as we move the curve from left to right.This can be explained in terms of Marginal rate of substitution of good X for good Y. The marginal rate of substitution is the maximum amount of Y the consumer is willing to give up to get an additional unit of X.This specifies the terms of trade-off between bundles of goods among which the consumer is indifferent. As the consumer moves down the curve he acquires more X and is left with less Y.So the amount of Y he would be willing to give up to get an additional unit of X becomes progressively smaller as is natural. So, the MRSxy diminishes as he moves from left to right.The convexity of the indifference curve illustrate the diminishing rate of substitution of X for Y associated with the movement down the curve from left to right.


Is the shape of an inddifference curve convex from above or below?

An indifference curve is typically convex from below. This means that as you move along the curve, the slope becomes flatter, reflecting the principle of diminishing marginal rate of substitution. In other words, as a consumer substitutes one good for another, they are willing to give up fewer units of the good they're consuming less of, resulting in the curve's convex shape.


What does a consumer's indifference curve do?

A consumer's indifference curve represents a graphical illustration of different combinations of two goods that provide the same level of utility or satisfaction to the consumer. Points along the curve indicate that the consumer is indifferent between those combinations, meaning they would derive equal satisfaction from any of them. The shape of the curve typically reflects the consumer's preferences and the rate at which they are willing to substitute one good for another. Indifference curves never intersect and are typically convex to the origin, illustrating diminishing marginal rates of substitution.


Why is indifference curve of normal good convex to origin?

Indifference curves are convex to the point of origin of the two axes. The curve is relatively steep at first in its left hand portion and tends to become flatter in its right hand portion. Thus, as we move along the curve from left downwards to the right, the absolute slope of the indifference curve decreases.. This property of indifference curve is based on the principle of diminishing marginal rate of substitution, explained in the previous section. In Fig., as the consumer reduces the consumption of commodity 'Y' and increases the consumption of commodity 'X', his urge for more units of 'X' declines continuously. On the other hand, he is willing to part with fewer and fewer units of commodity' Y' at each stage to obtain each additional unit of 'X'. In other words, the marginal rate of substitution of 'X' for 'Y' declines, as the consumer travels down on an indifference curve.Fig.Suppose, 'A', 'B', 'C', and 'D' are four points on indifference curve IC in Fig.. Initially, the consumer is willing to part with Y1 Y2 units of commodity' Y' to get one unit X1 X2 of commodity 'X'. For additional one unit X2 X3 of 'X', he is ready to sacrifice Y2 Y3 units of 'Y'. For next one unit X3 X4 of 'X', the consumer would like to give up only Y3 Y4 units of 'Y'. Clearly, the increase in 'X' commodity is uniform, whereas 'Y' commodity is decreasing at a diminishing rate. Symbolically,X1 X2=X2 X3=X3 X4,whileY1 Y2 >Y2 Y3 >Y3 Y4Hence, indifference curves are convex to the origin. Concavity of the indifference curves is against the principle of diminishing marginal rate of substitution.


What is convex preferences in economics?

In economics, convex preferences refer to a situation where a consumer's preference for combinations of goods exhibits a diminishing marginal rate of substitution. This means that as a consumer consumes more of one good while reducing another, they are willing to give up less of the second good for each additional unit of the first good. Convex preferences imply that consumers prefer diversified bundles of goods over extreme combinations, leading to a preference for balanced consumption. This concept is fundamental in consumer theory and helps to shape the shape of indifference curves in utility analysis.


What types of indifference curve?

Indifference curves represent combinations of two goods that provide the same level of utility or satisfaction to a consumer. They typically exhibit three main types: convex (which reflect diminishing marginal rates of substitution), linear (indicating perfect substitutes), and L-shaped (indicating perfect complements). Convex curves show that as a consumer substitutes one good for another, they require increasingly larger amounts of one good to maintain the same utility level. Linear curves imply that goods can be substituted at a constant rate, while L-shaped curves suggest that the goods must be consumed in fixed proportions.


What are the major characteristics of an indifference curve?

The three major characteristics of an indifference curve are: 1. They are negatively sloped 2. They are convex to the origin 3. Indifference curve cannot be intersected


What are characteristics of an indifference curve?

indifferent curves are convex to their origin, they do not intersect, and have a negative slope


Why is the Graph of the Indifference Curve Convex to the Origin and not Concave?

an indifference curves are convex not concave bcz: when we are using the two coomodities, both are sbtitute to each other, consumer will either use one or the other, he has to select one according to his taste, so MRS is diminishing, 2. the indifference curves are convex to the ogigan, this implies that the slope of IC is decreased as we move from let to right in the graph. this axom is derved from the point that MRS s decreasing. an indifference curves are convex not concave bcz: when we are using the two coomodities, both are sbtitute to each other, consumer will either use one or the other, he has to select one according to his taste, so MRS is diminishing, 2. the indifference curves are convex to the ogigan, this implies that the slope of IC is decreased as we move from let to right in the graph. this axom is derved from the point that MRS s decreasing.