Question

    Consider an exchange economy with two agents, 1 and 2,

    and two goods, X and Y. Each agent's consumption set is in +R2. The endowments of agents 1 and 2 are (10, 1) and (0, 9) respectively. In any commodity bundle, the first entry is the quantity of X, and the second entry is the quantity of Y. If a>c, or a=c and b>d, then Agent 1 strictly prefers bundle (a,b) to (c,d). If b>d, or b=d and a>c, then Agent 2 strictly prefers bundle (a,b) to (c,d). Which of the following allocations is an efficient allocation?
    A Agent 1 gets (10,1) and Agent 2 gets (0,9). Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Agent 1 gets (10,10) and Agent 2 gets (0,0). Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Agent 1 gets (5,5) and Agent 2 gets (5,5). Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D None of the above. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    The allocation where Agent 1 gets (10,1) and Agent 2 gets (0,9) is an efficient allocation because it respects their initial endowments and preferences, and any change would make at least one agent worse off.

    Practice Next