High School

Each scoop of ice cream costs $6. Your benefit associated with each scoop decreases with each additional scoop because you start to get a stomach ache. How many scoops of ice cream should you eat if your marginal benefit for each scoop is as follows: $26, $8, $5, $3, $0?

Select the correct answer below:

A. 1 scoop
B. 2 scoops
C. 3 scoops
D. 4 scoops

Answer :

The optimal number of scoops is reached before the marginal benefit decreases to $5, which means we should stop at the previous scoop. The correct answer is 2 scoops.

In this case, we have the following marginal benefit sequence associated with each scoop of ice cream: $26, $8, $5, $3, $0. We compare the marginal benefit with the cost per scoop to determine the optimal number of scoops.

Starting with the highest marginal benefit of $26, the benefit exceeds the cost of $6 per scoop. As we progress, the marginal benefit decreases to $8, which is still higher than the cost. However, when we reach a marginal benefit of $5, it becomes lower than the cost per scoop.

To maximize overall satisfaction, we should consume ice cream until the marginal benefit is equal to the cost per scoop. Therefore, the optimal number of scoops is reached before the marginal benefit decreases to $5, which means we should stop at the previous scoop. Thus, the correct answer is 2 scoops.

Eating beyond the point where the marginal benefit becomes lower than the cost per scoop would decrease overall satisfaction due to diminishing returns. In this case, consuming more than 2 scoops would lead to a marginal benefit of $3, which is lower than the cost per scoop of $6. By stopping at 2 scoops, we achieve the highest level of satisfaction without experiencing diminishing returns and the negative effects associated with a stomach ache.

Learn more about marginal benefit here:

https://brainly.com/question/21060213

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