The rational consumer maximizes utility by spending each dollar in a way to maximize marginal utility for that dollar. For such a consumer, the marginal utility of every good divided by that good’s price must be equal. MU<sub>x</sub>/P<sub>x</sub> = MU<sub>y</sub>/P<sub>y</sub>=MU<sub>z</sub>/P<sub>z</sub>, where MU<sub>x</sub> is the marginal utility of good “x” and P<sub>x</sub> is the price of good “x”. This is known as the Law of Equiproportion Marginal Benefit. | The rational consumer maximizes utility by spending each dollar in a way to maximize marginal utility for that dollar. For such a consumer, the marginal utility of every good divided by that good’s price must be equal. MU<sub>x</sub>/P<sub>x</sub> = MU<sub>y</sub>/P<sub>y</sub>=MU<sub>z</sub>/P<sub>z</sub>, where MU<sub>x</sub> is the marginal utility of good “x” and P<sub>x</sub> is the price of good “x”. This is known as the Law of Equiproportion Marginal Benefit. |