NECO 2009 Economics · Question 42

The additional satisfaction derived from the consumption of one more unit of a good is called

Options

  1. A.marginal cost
  2. B.marginal product
  3. C.marginal revenue
  4. D.marginal utility
  5. E.total Utility

Answer: D. marginal utility

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term describing the extra satisfaction gained from consuming one more unit of a good. The key words are "additional satisfaction" and "one more unit."

Step 2: Explain the concept In consumer theory, satisfaction is called utility. Two ideas matter here:

  • Total utility (TU) is the overall satisfaction from consuming all units of a good.
  • Marginal utility (MU) is the change in total utility from consuming one extra unit.

MU = change in TU ÷ change in quantity consumed, or MU = TUₙ − TUₙ₋₁

Step 3: Check each option

  • A. Marginal cost is the extra cost of producing one more unit. This is a producer concept, not satisfaction.
  • B. Marginal product is the extra output from employing one more unit of a factor of production, such as labour.
  • C. Marginal revenue is the extra revenue a firm earns from selling one more unit.
  • D. Marginal utility is the extra satisfaction from consuming one more unit. This matches the question.
  • E. Total utility is the sum of satisfaction from all units consumed, not just the additional one.

Step 4: Example Suppose you eat 1 plate of jollof rice and get 20 units of satisfaction. A second plate raises your total to 30. The marginal utility of the second plate is 30 − 20 = 10. Eating more plates, the MU keeps falling. This is the law of diminishing marginal utility.

Answer: D. marginal utility

Tip: Look at the word after "marginal." Utility means satisfaction (consumer), cost and revenue belong to the firm, and product means output. "Satisfaction" in the question always points to utility, and "additional" means marginal.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.

Past questions © the examination body (JAMB/WAEC/NECO). DeeepSolve is not affiliated with them. Rights holders: see /copyright.