<p>You apply the definition.</p>
<p>There might be multiple ways for a utility function to represent LNS preferences. A surefire case is when there is a strictly monotonic term in a single good. For example, <span class="math-container">$u(\mathbf{x}) = f(\mathbf{x}_{-i}) + x_i$</span> (does this form ring any bell?) where <span class="math-container">$f$</span> is a horrendously complicated function of all goods except good <span class="math-container">$i$</span> is always LNS because of the linear term in <span class="math-container">$x_i$</span>: whatever might happen with the other goods, the agent is always happier if you add just a bit of good <span class="math-container">$i$</span>, or using the definition:</p>
<p><span class="math-container">$$\forall \mathbf{x} \in X, \varepsilon &gt; 0, \exists \mathbf{x}' : \|\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{x}'\| \leq \varepsilon \land \mathbf{x}' \succ \mathbf{x}$$</span></p>
<p>In this case, <span class="math-container">$\mathbf{x}' = \mathbf{x} + \varepsilon e_i$</span>, where <span class="math-container">$e_i = (0, ..., 1, ..., 0)$</span> i.e. it is only 1 in position <span class="math-container">$i$</span>.</p>
<p>I am sure some user will be delighted in pointing out an exception, but let's say this is true for all reasonably horrendous <span class="math-container">$f$</span>. (It might be true for any <span class="math-container">$f$</span>, I did not take the time to check.)</p>
<p>Another way of ensuring LNS is to check that the function has no local maxima or plateaus. This is easy to define and check in the univariate case, but becomes less trivial when dealing with multiple goods. There may be satiation for a single good, while not violating LNS: <span class="math-container">$u(x, y) = (x-2)^2 + \log(y)$</span>.</p>
<p>So is there a &quot;mathy&quot; way? You apply the definition. Math is not always calculation-y. Unfortunately or fortunately, depends on how you see it.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-14T11:48:30.753Z
$x'_{-i}=x_{-i}$, so exceptions to this should not be expected.
VARulle
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-13T19:19:07.760Z
2022-12-13T19:19:07.760Z
kmf
<p>I understand the distant definition of LNS but I don't get how to actually apply it to given utility functions like u=x1/x2 or u=x1-x2 or of any form? Is there structured math-y way to check if they represent LNS preferences? I digged the internet whole day but couldn't find how to solve these kind of questions. Any help would be highly appreciated. thank you!</p>

<microeconomics><utility><preferences>
How to check if a utility function represents locally non-satiated preferences?
reindeer
# How to check if a utility function represents locally non-satiated preferences?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-12-13)

I understand the distant definition of LNS but I don't get how to actually apply it to given utility functions like u=x1/x2 or u=x1-x2 or of any form? Is there structured math-y way to check if they represent LNS preferences? I digged the internet whole day but couldn't find how to solve these kind of questions. Any help would be highly appreciated. thank you!

**Tags:** microeconomics, utility, preferences


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-12-13. Score: 2

You apply the definition.

There might be multiple ways for a utility function to represent LNS preferences. A surefire case is when there is a strictly monotonic term in a single good. For example, $u(\mathbf{x}) = f(\mathbf{x}\_{-i}) + x\_i$ (does this form ring any bell?) where $f$ is a horrendously complicated function of all goods except good $i$ is always LNS because of the linear term in $x\_i$: whatever might happen with the other goods, the agent is always happier if you add just a bit of good $i$, or using the definition:

$$\forall \mathbf{x} \in X, \varepsilon > 0, \exists \mathbf{x}' : \|\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{x}'\| \leq \varepsilon \land \mathbf{x}' \succ \mathbf{x}$$

In this case, $\mathbf{x}' = \mathbf{x} + \varepsilon e\_i$, where $e\_i = (0, ..., 1, ..., 0)$ i.e. it is only 1 in position $i$.

I am sure some user will be delighted in pointing out an exception, but let's say this is true for all reasonably horrendous $f$. (It might be true for any $f$, I did not take the time to check.)

Another way of ensuring LNS is to check that the function has no local maxima or plateaus. This is easy to define and check in the univariate case, but becomes less trivial when dealing with multiple goods. There may be satiation for a single good, while not violating LNS: $u(x, y) = (x-2)^2 + \log(y)$.

So is there a "mathy" way? You apply the definition. Math is not always calculation-y. Unfortunately or fortunately, depends on how you see it.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: $x'_{-i}=x_{-i}$, so exceptions to this should not be expected.  

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