# Thread: Find the demand function

1. ## Find the demand function

Suppose that income is M, and prices are P1 and P2, and consider the following utility function:

$U(x1,x2)=U(X_1X_2) = X_1^{0.4}X_2^{0.6}$

a. Using Lagrangian, derive the ordinary demand functions of $X_1$ and $X_2$.

b. Suppose M=$100, and prices are P1=$20 and P2=$20; calculate the utility maximizing quantities of $X_1$and $X_2$. If price of good 1 drops to$10, what would be the demand for $X_1$. Using this infomation, draw a demand curve of $X_1$.

for a, do I just need to find the partial derivative of U with respect to $X_1$, and $X_2$, then divide $X_2$ by $X_1$?

and I need some hints on b

2. For a) Just find the Lagrangian. Your budget will be: p_1X_1+p_2X_2 = m and you stated the utiltity function. Solve the Lagrangian and get functions for X_1 and X_2 with respect to p_1,p_2 and m. If you never had the Lagrangian in school, substitute the budget into the utility function. Solve the budget constraint I posted for X_1 or X_2 and fill it into the utility function. Then maximize for the endogenous variable that is left in your utility. b) will be quite simple then. Just fill in what you have and get your results.