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Pareto Allocation Imp
Pareto Allocation Imp
M. Utku Unver
Micro Theory
Boston College
Consumers: A and B
Goods: 1 and 2
Endowments: = ( A , B ) = ((1A , 2A ), (1B , 2B ))
Total endowment of goods in the economy:
Good 1: 1A + 1B
Good 2: 2A + 2B
Demands: X = (x A , x B ) = ((x1A , x2A ), (x1B , x2B ))
Demands should be feasible:
Good 1: x1A + x1B = 1A + 1B
Good 2: x2A + x2B = 2A + 2B
2
For example, if x1A = 1 then x2A = 5 and, by feasibility, x1B = 2 and
x2B = 85 .
Note that if both of the agents have the same MRS in this case, all the
points in the Edgeworth box are Pareto efficient. Why?
M. Utku Unver Micro Theory (BC) Exchange 12 / 23
Example: U A = (x1A )(x2A ) and U B = x1B + 2x2B . The initial endowments
are given as A = (1, 1) and B = (1, 1). Find the set of Pareto efficient
allocations.
Solution:
MRS A = MRS B =
U A /x1A U B /x1B
A A
= B B
=
U /x2 U /x2
x2A 1
A = = x2A = 12 x1A
x1 2
of agent A.
1 mA
x2 = 2 p2 = 12 1+p p .
A
x1A + x1B = 1A + 1B = 3 =
1 1
(1 + p ) + (2 + p ) = 3 =
2 3
11
p= .
5
Then we can find the equilibrium allocation using the demand functions:
x1A = 85 , x2A = 11
8
, x1B = 75 and x2B = 14
11 .
(Walras Law)
Suppose there are k goods in the exchange economy. If (k-1) markets
clear, then the kth market clears as well.