
Meaning of Consumption Function
The consumption function or inclination to consume refers to income-consumption relationship. It is a “functional relationship between two aggregates, i.e. total consumption and gross national income.” Metaphorically, the relationship is represented as C = f (Y),, where C is consumption, Y is income and f is the functional relationship. Thus the consumption function indicates a functional relationship between C and Y, where C is he dependant by Y is the independent variable, i.e. C is determined by Y.
Let us see few illustrations which explain the consumption function.
Illustration 7
Given the tablet below, you have to ascertain the average and marginal propensity to consume.
Income
Y |
Consumption
C |
2000 |
1900 |
2200 |
2080 |
2400 |
2240 |
2600 |
2380 |
2800 |
2500 |
3000 |
2600 |
3200 |
2680 |
Solution
Income
Y |
Consumption
C |
Average
Propensity to Consume |
Marginal
Propensity to Consume |
C / Y |
Δ C / Δ Y |
||
2000 |
1900 |
1900 / 2000 = 0.95 |
- |
2200 |
2080 |
2080 / 2200 = 0.94 |
180 / 200 = 0.9 |
2400 |
2240 |
2240 / 2400 = 0.93 |
160 / 200 = 0.8 |
2600 |
2380 |
2380 / 2600 = 0.91 |
140 / 200 = 0.7 |
2800 |
2500 |
2500 / 2800 = 0.89 |
120 / 200 = 0.6 |
3000 |
2600 |
2600 / 3000 = 0.86 |
100 / 200 = 0.5 |
3200 |
2680 |
2680 / 3200 = 0.83 |
80 / 200 = 0.4 |
Illustration 8
Given the saving function S = - 20 + 0.2Y and autonomous investment, I = $100 million. You are required to ascertain
- The Equilibrium level of income
- The level of consumption
- If investment increases permanently by $10 millions, what will be the new levels of income and consumption
Solution
According to saving investment approach, equilibrium level of national income is ascertained by equalling saving and investment, thus
S = I
Hence,
-
20 + 0.2Y = 100
0.2Y = 120
Y = 120 / 0.2
(i) Hence equilibrium of Income (Y) = 600
According to consumption function, Consumption equals income over savings, thus
C = Y – S …..Equation
(2)
Hence,
S = -
20 + 0.2Y …..Equation
(1)
Substituting the value of Y in the Equation (1), we get the following
S = -
20 + 0.2 (600)
= -
20 + 120
Hence Saving (S) = 100
Substituting the value of S and I in the Equation (2), we obtain the following
C = 600 – 100
(ii) Hence the level of consumption (C) = 500
With the increase in investment by $10 millions, the new investment will be equal to $110 millions
S = I
Hence,
- 20 + 0.2 Y = 110
0.2 Y = 110 +20
Y = 130 / 0.2
(iii) Hence, the new level of income would be (Y) = $650 millions
Now, Saving = - 20 + 0.2 Y
= - 20 + 0.2 (650)
= -20 + 130
Hence Saving (S) = 110
Substituting the new values of S and Y, the new consumption (C) would be computed as below
C = Y - S
= 650 – 110
(iii) Hence, the new level of consumption would be (C) = $540 millions
Illustration 9
Given in the below tablet, Income and Consumption based on which you are required to ascertain the following
- Average Propensity to Consume
- Average Propensity to Save
- Marginal Propensity to Consume and
- Marginal Propensity to Save
Income
Y |
Consumption
C |
240 |
240 |
360 |
340 |
480 |
440 |
600 |
540 |
720 |
640 |
840 |
740 |
Solution
Income
Y |
Consumption
C |
Average
Propensity to Consume |
Average
Propensity to Save |
Marginal
Propensity to Consume |
Marginal
Propensity to Save |
APC = C / Y |
APS = S / Y |
MPC = Δ C / Δ Y |
MPS = Δ S / Δ Y (1 - MPC) |
||
240 |
240 |
240 / 240 |
0 |
- |
- |
360 |
340 |
340 / 360 = 0.94 0r 94% |
0.06 |
100 / 120 = 0.83 |
0.167 |
480 |
440 |
440 / 480 = 0.91 or 91% |
0.09 |
100 / 120 = 0.83 |
0.167 |
600 |
540 |
540 / 600 = 0.9 or 90% |
0.10 |
100 / 120 = 0.83 |
0.167 |
720 |
640 |
640 / 720 = 0.88 or 88% |
0.12 |
100 / 120 = 0.83 |
0.167 |
840 |
740 |
740 / 840 = 0.88 or 88% |
0.12 |
100 / 120 = 0.83 |
0.167 |
Illustration 10
In an economy, the basic equations are as follows:
The consumption function is C = 240 + 0.8Y and
Investment function is Ī = 500
You are required to ascertain the following
- Equilibrium level of income
- Equilibrium level of consumption
- Equilibrium level of saving
- Equilibrium level, aggregate demand equals aggregate supply and saving leakages equals investment injections
Solution
The equilibrium condition is given as Y = C + I
Thus,
Y = 240
+ 0.8Y + 500
Y – 0.8 Y = 740
Y (1 – 0.8) = 740
0.2Y = 740
Y = 740 / 0.2
(a) Hence, the equilibrium level of income (Y) = 3,700
The consumption function is C = 240 + 0.8Y
When Y = 3,700,
C = 240
+ 0.8 (3700)
C = 240 + 2,960
(b) Hence, the equilibrium level of consumption (C) = 3,200
The saving equation is S = Y – C
When Y = 3,700 and C = 3,200, we have
S = 3,700 – 3,200
(c) Hence, the equilibrium level of saving (S) = 500
(d) Now the aggregate demand and aggregate supply has to be equal for equilibrium level which equals saving leakages and investment injections.
Hence,
C
+ I = C
+ S
3,200 + 500 = 3,200 + 500
3,700 = 3,700
(Or) Saving equals investment S = I
500 = 500
Illustration 11
Presume the consumption function is C = Ca + b Y and investment is I = Ī, then
- Determine the equation for the equilibrium level of productivity
- Determine the equilibrium level of productivity when Ca = 300, b = 0.8 and Ī = 500
Solution
The equilibrium condition is given as Y = C + I.
Y = Ca + b Y + Ī
Y – b Y = Ca + Ī
Y
(1 – b) = Ca
+ I
(a) Y = Ca
+ Ī ……..Derivative
(1)
(1 – b)
Substituting the values in the Derivative (1), we obtain the following
Y = 300
+ 500
1 - 0.8
Y = 800 / 0.2
(b) Hence, the equilibrium productivity level is 4,000
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- Camouflaged Redundancy
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- Criticisms of Keynesian Thesis
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