What is Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility

What is Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility?

The law of diminishing marginal utility states that as the quantity consumed of a commodity continues to increase, the utility obtained from each successive unit goes on diminishing, assuming that the consumption of all other commodities remains the same.

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To put simply, when an individual continues to consume more and more units of a commodity per unit of time, the utility that he/she obtains from each successive unit continues to diminish.

Law of diminishing marginal utility Example

For example, the utility derived from the first glass of water is high, but with successive glasses of water, the utility would keep diminishing. The law of diminishing marginal utility is applicable to all kinds of goods such as consumer goods, durable goods, and non-durable goods.

Let us understand the law of diminishing marginal utility with the help of an example.

An individual consumes only one commodity X and its utility is measured quantitatively. The total utility and marginal utility schedules are as shown in Table 1.

UNITS OF COMMODITY X	TOTAL UTILITY (TUX)	MARGINAL UTILITY (MUX)
1	30	30
2	50	30
3	60	20
4	65	10
5	60	5
6	45	-5

Table 1: Number of Units of Commodity X Consumed Per Unit of Time

Table 1 shows that as the number of units of commodity X consumed per unit of time increases, TUx increases but at a diminishing rate while marginal utility MUx decreases consistently. The rate of increase in TUx as a result of increase in the number of units consumed has been depicted through the MUx curve in the graph shown in Figure

In Figure, the downward sloping MUx curve shows that the marginal utility of a commodity consistently decreases as its consumption increases. When the consumption reaches to 4 units of commodity X, TUx reaches its maximum level (the point of saturation) marked as M.

Beyond the point of saturation, MUx becomes negative and TUx begins to decline consistently. The downward slope of MUx explains the law of diminishing marginal utility. Therefore, according to the law of diminishing marginal utility, the utility gained from a unit of a commodity is dependent on the consumer’s desire for the commodity.

When an individual continues to consume additional units of a commodity, the satisfaction that he/she derives from the consumption keeps decreasing. This is because his/ her need gets satisfied in the process of consumption. Therefore, the utility derived from successive units of the commodity decreases.

Assumptions of Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility

Assumptions of law of diminishing marginal utility are as follows:

Rationality

The law of marginal utility assumes that a consumer is a rational being who aims at maximising his/her utility at the given income level and the market price.

Measurement of utility

The utility of a commodity can be measured using quantifiable standards like a cup of tea, a bag of sugar, a pair of socks, etc.

Constant marginal utility of money

The marginal utility of consumer’s income is constant.

Homogeneity of commodity

The successive units of a commodity consumed are homogenous or identical in shape, size, colour, taste, quality, etc.

Continuity

The consumption of successive units of a commodity should be continuous without intervals.

Ceteris paribus

Factors, such as the income, tastes and preferences of consumers; price of related goods; etc. remain unchanged.

Exceptions of Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility

Following are the exceptions of law of diminishing marginal utility:

Drunkard – Utility from each additional peg of wine increases for the drunkard. The law does not operate in his case.
Money – The law docs hold good in case of money. The utility of money does not diminish.
Hobbies– Hobbies like stamp collection is an exception. A man who has hobby of collecting stamps feels more satisfied with every successive stamp he is able to collect.
Rare collections
Money
Knowledge and Innovation
Precious goods
Utility increases due to a demonstration

Also Read: Movement and Shift In Demand Curve

Importance of Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility

Importance of law of diminishing marginal utility are as follow:

Basis for law of demand

The law of diminishing marginal utility is one of the fundamental laws of Economics. The basic law of demand is, in fact, totally based on the law of diminishing marginal utility.

Basis of the Progressive Tax-policy

The government can formulate a progressive tax-policy on the basis of the law of diminishing marginal utilIty.

Basis for Re-Distribution of Wealth Policy

The government’s public expenditure policy is also based on the law of diminishing marginal utility.

Determining optimum level of consumption

This law helps in the determination of the optimum level of consumption. it is attained at a point where the marginal utility of a commodity equals its price.

Forms basis for production of things

According to Taussing, only due to this very law, are the various things produced or manufactured.

What is Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility