5.2
Utilidade Marginal
Utilidade marginal
A utilidade marginal mede a satisfação adicional que uma pessoa obtém ao consumir uma unidade adicional de uma mercadoria. Imagine…
Considere uma garota andando de moto sob o sol quente, sentindo sede.
Avistando um posto de gasolina, ela compra uma garrafa de água. Esta primeira garrafa de água lhe dá imensa satisfação ou utilidade.
Ainda com sede, ela pega outra garrafa de água.
No entanto, a utilidade disso é menor do que a primeira.
Se ela beber mais garrafas de água, poderá experimentar utilidade negativa.
A utilidade marginal mede a satisfação adicional de uma pessoa ao consumir mais uma unidade de uma mercadoria.
A lei da utilidade marginal decrescente afirma que, depois que uma quantidade suficiente de uma mercadoria é consumida, a utilidade derivada de cada unidade sucessiva diminui, todas as outras coisas sendo iguais.
A divisão da água consumida no número de garrafas é um exemplo. Na realidade, os bens podem ser divididos em centenas ou milhares de unidades. Não importa quão pequenos sejam os incrementos, cada unidade adicional de bem fornece menos satisfação, resultando em uma curva decrescente contínua no gráfico.
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Q1: What does marginal utility measure in consumer behavior?
Marginal utility measures the additional satisfaction a person gains from consuming one more unit of a commodity. For example, the first bottle of water provides immense satisfaction to a thirsty person, while the second bottle provides less additional satisfaction. Understanding marginal utility helps explain how consumer satisfaction changes with each additional unit consumed.
Q2: Why does satisfaction decrease with each additional unit consumed?
The law of diminishing marginal utility states that after consuming a sufficient quantity of a commodity, the utility from each successive unit decreases, all other things being equal. As a person consumes more pizza slices, each additional slice provides less satisfaction than the previous one, eventually reaching zero or negative utility.
Q3: How does the relationship between total utility and marginal utility work?
Total utility is the cumulative satisfaction from all units consumed, while marginal utility is the satisfaction from one additional unit. The relationship between total utility and marginal utility shows that as marginal utility decreases, total utility continues to increase but at a slower rate until marginal utility becomes negative.
Q4: Can marginal utility ever become negative?
Yes, marginal utility can become negative when consuming additional units actually decreases overall satisfaction. For instance, after eating many pizza slices, consuming more may cause discomfort, resulting in negative utility. This explains why consumers eventually stop purchasing additional units of a good.
Q5: How does marginal utility apply to real-world consumer decisions?
Consumers use marginal utility concepts when deciding whether to purchase additional units. A motorcycle rider buys water bottles based on the satisfaction each provides. Once marginal utility becomes low or negative, the consumer stops buying, which influences demand patterns and purchasing behavior in markets.
Q6: Does the size of consumption units affect marginal utility?
No, the principle of diminishing marginal utility applies regardless of unit size. Whether goods are divided into large or tiny increments, each additional unit provides less satisfaction than the previous one. This creates a continuous diminishing curve on a graph, illustrating the universal nature of this economic principle.