Abstract:
The aim of this paper is to explore several features concerning the generalized marginal rate of substitution (GMRS)when the consumers utility maximization problem with several constraints is formulated as a quasi-concave programming problem. We show that a point satisfying the first order sufficient conditions for the consumer's problem minimizes the associated quasi-convex reciprocal cost minimization problems. We define the GMRS between endowments and show how it can be computed using the reciprocal expenditure multipliers. Additionally, GMRS is proved to be a rate of change between different proportion bundles of initial endowments. Finally, conditions are provided to guarantee a decreasing GMRS along a curve of initial endowments while keeping the consumer's utility level constant.