utilitymaximization

Utility maximization is a foundational concept in consumer theory. It describes how a rational consumer allocates a limited income across available goods to maximize satisfaction, as represented by a utility function U(x1, ..., xn). In the standard model, the consumer chooses quantities x = (x1, ..., xn) to maximize U(x) subject to a budget constraint p · x ≤ M and nonnegativity x ≥ 0.

A typical interior solution arises when positive quantities of all goods are purchased. Regularity conditions—continuity of U, monotonicity (more is better), and convexity of preferences—help ensure a well-behaved optimum. The problem can be solved with a Lagrangian L = U(x) + λ(M − p · x). The first-order conditions require MUi = λ pi for all goods i, and p · x = M. Equivalently, the marginal rate of substitution between any two goods equals the price ratio, MUi/MUJ = pi/pj. Corner solutions occur when some goods are not purchased due to nonnegativity constraints.

The outcome is the Marshallian demand x*(p, M), the quantities demanded as functions of prices and income. If preferences are convex, the solution is typically unique. While utility is used in a mathematical representation of preferences, modern theory emphasizes its ordinal nature: only the ranking of bundles matters, not the cardinal differences in utility. Related concepts include expenditure minimization and Hicksian demand, and the Slutsky decomposition, which separates price effects into substitution and income effects. Utility maximization underlies welfare analysis, consumer surplus, and a wide range of applied demand studies.