Emma has a utility function of u(c, l) = 9c1/3l 2/3 . She works as a policewoman at a wage of 30 dollars an hour. She doesn’t have any income outside of her work. Calculate the optimal hours of work she would pick and her optimal consumption.
Utility function = 9c^1/3 l^2/3. From utility function, MRS = -MUc/MUl = -9 * 1/3 *c^-2/3 * l^2/3 divided by 9 * 2/3 *c^1/3 * l^-2/3 = -l/2c
Consumption = income = (24 - l)*30
c = 720 - 30l
c + 30l = 720
Slope of budget = -1/30
At the optimum level MRS = slope of budget
-l/2c = -1/30
This gives c= 15l
Use the value in budget equation
15l + 30l = 720
l = 720/45 = 16
Hence the optimal hours of work she would pick is (24 - 16) = 8 hours and consumption = 8*30 = $240.
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.