Answer to Question #184098 in Microeconomics for Momin ali

Question

Can a set of indifference curves be upward sloping? If so, what would this tell you about the two goods?

Also explain why two indifference curves cannot intersect.

Answer 1

A set of indifference curves can be upward sloping if we violate assumption number three; more is preferred to less. When a set of indifference curves is upward sloping, it means one of the goods is a “bad” so that the consumer prefers less of that good rather than more. The positive slope means that the consumer will accept more of the bad only if he also receives more of the other good in return. As we move up along the indifference curve the consumer has more of the good he likes, and also more of the good he does not like. 

The indifference curves cannot intersect each other because at the point of tangency, the higher curve will give as much as of the two commodities as is given by the lower indifference curve.