Question
Differentiate between Cardinal and Ordinal Utility.
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S.No.
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Basis
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Cardinal Utility Approach
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Indifference Curve (Ordinal Utility) Approach
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1.
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Meaning
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It states that the satisfaction the consumer derives by consuming goods and services can be measured with number.
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It states that the satisfaction the consumer derives from the consumption of goods and services by using a ranking system in which a ranking is provided to the satisfaction that is derived from consumption.
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2.
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Diminising Marginal Utility/ Substitution
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Diminishing Marginal Utility (DMU) As the consumer has more units of a commodity, the marginal utility of the commodity falls.
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Diminishing MRS: As the consumer has more units of good X, the consumer is willing to give up less and less units of good Y, so as to maintain same level of satisfaction.
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3.
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Represeation
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DMU is shown by MU curve which is falling throughout
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MRS is the slope of indifference curve. Indifference curve is convex to the origin showing diminishing MRS.
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4.
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Equilibrium Condition
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Consumer's Equilibrium $M= P_x$... for single commodity $\frac{\text{MU}_\text{x}}{\text{P}_\text{x}}=\frac{\text{MU}_\text{y}}{\text{P}_\text{y}}$ for two commodities. sobject $P_x.X + P_y.Y = M$.
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Consumer's Equilibrium [Slope of Indifference curve) = [Slope of Budget line) $\text{MRS}=\frac{\text{P}_\text{x}}{\text{P}_\text{y}}$and convexity of indifference curve.
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