Question

Which one of the following is not a property of Indifference (ID) curves?

• A. ID Curves are negatively sloped and convex to the origin
• B. Utility on an ID curve decreases from left to right
• C. Farther the ID curve from the origin, the higher utility it represents
• D. ID Curves never intersect each other

Hint:

Always remember the core definition:
"Indifference" means the consumer does not care which point on the curve they are on, because every point offers the exact same utility.
Therefore, utility cannot increase or decrease along a single curve.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
An Indifference Curve (IC or ID curve) maps different combinations of two commodities that provide the exact same level of total satisfaction or utility to a consumer.
Because the consumer is indifferent between any two points on the same curve, all points on a single curve must represent identical utility.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us examine each option to identify which is NOT a property of indifference curves:
- Option (A): ID curves are negatively sloped because to consume more of one commodity, the consumer must sacrifice some units of another commodity to maintain the same level of utility.
They are convex to the origin because of the law of diminishing marginal rate of substitution (MRS). This is a valid property.
- Option (B): This statement says that utility on an ID curve decreases from left to right.
This is incorrect and contradicts the basic definition of an indifference curve.
By definition, utility remains constant along the entire length of any given indifference curve.
No point on the curve has more or less utility than any other point.
- Option (C): Indifference curves farther from the origin (higher curves) represent a higher quantity of both goods, which corresponds to a higher level of utility. This is a valid property.
- Option (D): Indifference curves can never intersect. If they did, it would violate the principle of transitivity of consumer preferences. This is a valid property.
Thus, Option (B) is not a property of indifference curves.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (B).