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Relationship Between Total Utility and Marginal Utility

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Topics

  • Relationship between TU and MU
  • Example with Mangoes
  • Graphical Explanation
  • Important Propositions
  • Can Utility Be Measured
  • Key Point Summary
CISCE: Class 12

Relationship between TU and MU

Stage TU (Total Utility) MU (Marginal Utility)
At first unit TU = MU (both are high.) Highest (initial utility)
As more units consumed TU increases (but at a slower rate) MU decreases, still positive
When TU is maximum TU at its highest value MU is zero (point of satiety)
If more units are consumed TU starts decreasing MU becomes negative
CISCE: Class 12

Example with Mangoes

Quantity (No. of Mangoes) Total Utility (TU) Marginal Utility (MU) Comment
1 10 10 Initial consumption
2 18 8 Positive MU
3 24 6 Positive MU
4 28 4 Positive MU
5 30 2 Positive MU
6 30 0 MU zero, TU max (satiation)
7 28 -2 Negative MU, TU declines
CISCE: Class 12

Graphical Explanation

  • Total Utility Curve: Rises initially, flattens at maximum TU, then falls after the satiation point.
  • Marginal Utility Curve: The Slope declines continuously, reaches zero at the satiation point, then becomes negative.
CISCE: Class 12

Important Propositions

  1. TU increases, but MU decreases (still positive).
  2. TU is maximum when MU is zero (satiation point).
  3. TU decreases when MU becomes negative.
When TU is... Then MU is...
Rising, at slower rate Decreasing, but positive
Maximum Zero
Falling Negative
CISCE: Class 12

Can Utility Be Measured?

1) Utility is subjective and cannot be directly measured.

2) Economists measure utility indirectly either by:

  • Money value (willingness to pay)
  • Units or utils (cardinal numbers for analysis)
CISCE: Class 12

Key Point Summary

  • TU increases as long as MU is positive.
  • TU is at its highest when MU is zero (point of satiety).
  • TU declines when MU turns negative (disutility).

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