<p>Typically, we have concave, increasing utility functions. So that means, the more you consume of a good x the more utility you have. However, the marginal utility (the first derivative of the utility function) is decreasing in consumption. So each additional unit of consumption has less additional value than the one before.</p>
<p>A simple example would be food. If you're starving, that first bite of food has the highest utility. But one you get full, additional bites will only have a little additional utility. So the more you consume, the less satisfaction from each additional bite.</p>
<p>In this sense, a higher marginal utility, means a lower level of consumption. That could mean a higher demand.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-11T13:45:48.517Z
"*lower level of consumption. That could mean a higher demand*" This seem to be a contradiction?
Giskard
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2020-10-11T14:24:15.157Z
If you are at a low level of (food) consumption, then you would have a higher level of (food) demand (desire) compared to someone with a current high (food) consumption.
BB King
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2020-10-11T15:01:56.353Z
@BBKing I think this conflates the demand with marginal utility or value. Demand is some quantity which we are willing to purchase at a given price. If the price is 10 and my demand 20 it would not be rational to purchase 20 units and consume only half.
1muflon1
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2020-10-11T15:15:40.267Z
Sure but you derive demand from utility functions and you derive marginal utility from utility. OP seems to be looking for a link between demand and marginal utility.
BB King
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2020-10-11T12:08:46.970Z
2020-10-11T12:08:46.970Z
BB King
<p>According to the definition of marginal utility &quot; it is the utility or satisfaction derived from the consumption of an additional unit of any commodity.&quot;</p>
<p>So, the question is what does increase or decrease in Marginal Utility of a good, let's say X, will mean and how we can relate it to quantity demanded?</p>
<p>This whole thing came while I was going through Edgeworth-Pareto definition of Complementary and Substitute goods. Thanks in advance.</p>

<microeconomics>
What does increase or decrease in marginal utility mean in terms of quantity demanded?
Peeyush Shivam
# What does increase or decrease in marginal utility mean in terms of quantity demanded?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-10-11)

According to the definition of marginal utility " it is the utility or satisfaction derived from the consumption of an additional unit of any commodity."

So, the question is what does increase or decrease in Marginal Utility of a good, let's say X, will mean and how we can relate it to quantity demanded?

This whole thing came while I was going through Edgeworth-Pareto definition of Complementary and Substitute goods. Thanks in advance.

**Tags:** microeconomics


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-10-11. Score: 1

Typically, we have concave, increasing utility functions. So that means, the more you consume of a good x the more utility you have. However, the marginal utility (the first derivative of the utility function) is decreasing in consumption. So each additional unit of consumption has less additional value than the one before.

A simple example would be food. If you're starving, that first bite of food has the highest utility. But one you get full, additional bites will only have a little additional utility. So the more you consume, the less satisfaction from each additional bite.

In this sense, a higher marginal utility, means a lower level of consumption. That could mean a higher demand.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: "*lower level of consumption. That could mean a higher demand*" This seem to be a contradiction?  
> **username_1**: If you are at a low level of (food) consumption, then you would have a higher level of (food) demand (desire) compared to someone with a current high (food) consumption.  
> **username_3**: @username_1 I think this conflates the demand with marginal utility or value. Demand is some quantity which we are willing to purchase at a given price. If the price is 10 and my demand 20 it would not be rational to purchase 20 units and consume only half.  
> **username_1**: Sure but you derive demand from utility functions and you derive marginal utility from utility. OP seems to be looking for a link between demand and marginal utility.  

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