<p>You are correct in stating that if MPS increases, then MPC decreases.  But the question doesn't actually say that MPS increases. What it says is that saving increases at <em>each</em> level of income. That's consistent with a scenario such as the following in which MPS does not change while autonomous consumption falls from <span class="math-container">$10$</span> to <span class="math-container">$5$</span>:</p>

<p><span class="math-container">$\qquad$</span><strong>Before</strong>: <span class="math-container">$S = -10 + 0.2Y$</span> and <span class="math-container">$C = 10 + 0.8Y$</span></p>

<p><span class="math-container">$\qquad$</span><strong>After</strong>: <span class="math-container">$S = - 5 + 0.2Y$</span> and <span class="math-container">$C = 5 + 0.8Y$</span></p>

<p>In this scenario, consumption falls by <span class="math-container">$5$</span> at each level of income - a parallel shift of the consumption function as per option C.</p>

<p>Actually, the question is not as precisely worded as it could have been.  If C is given as the correct answer, the implication is that households decide to save <em>the same amount</em> more at each level of income.  That could have been made explicit.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-01T18:33:56.657Z
@Zafir Khalid I've edited my answer to highlight the role of autonomous consumption.  I believe it's an improvement - but you are free to withdraw your acceptance if you disagree.
Adam Bailey
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-28T23:19:14.477Z
2020-03-01T18:30:14.203Z
2020-03-01T18:30:14.203Z
Adam Bailey
<p>I have a question from an old assignment that I cant wrap my head around.</p>

<pre><code>Other things remaining the same, if households suddenly decide to save more at each level of income, then the consumption function will:

a) become steeper because the marginal propensity to consume (MPC) falls.
b) become less steep because the marginal propensity to save (MPS) rises.
c) make a parallel shift downward as autonomous consumption expenditure falls.
d) remain unchanged but the savings function will shift downward.
</code></pre>

<p>I don't understand why it can't be option B. 
   Since</p>

<pre><code>MPS+MPC = 1 
</code></pre>

<p>and </p>

<pre><code>C = C₀ + (MPC)Y (Consumption function = Auto. Consumption + MPC(Income))
</code></pre>

<p>Given this, if MPS increases - it should mean that MPC decreases and so the slope of the consumption function decreases. Hence, option B. The answer however is C and I don't understand why.</p>

<macroeconomics><consumption>
MPC and MPS relationship
Zafir Khalid
# MPC and MPS relationship

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-02-28)

I have a question from an old assignment that I cant wrap my head around.
Other things remaining the same, if households suddenly decide to save more at each level of income, then the consumption function will:

a) become steeper because the marginal propensity to consume (MPC) falls.
b) become less steep because the marginal propensity to save (MPS) rises.
c) make a parallel shift downward as autonomous consumption expenditure falls.
d) remain unchanged but the savings function will shift downward.

I don't understand why it can't be option B. 
   Since
MPS+MPC = 1 

and 
C = C₀ + (MPC)Y (Consumption function = Auto. Consumption + MPC(Income))

Given this, if MPS increases - it should mean that MPC decreases and so the slope of the consumption function decreases. Hence, option B. The answer however is C and I don't understand why.

**Tags:** macroeconomics, consumption

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-02-28. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

You are correct in stating that if MPS increases, then MPC decreases. But the question doesn't actually say that MPS increases. What it says is that saving increases at *each* level of income. That's consistent with a scenario such as the following in which MPS does not change while autonomous consumption falls from $10$ to $5$:

$\qquad$**Before**: $S = -10 + 0.2Y$ and $C = 10 + 0.8Y$

$\qquad$**After**: $S = - 5 + 0.2Y$ and $C = 5 + 0.8Y$

In this scenario, consumption falls by $5$ at each level of income - a parallel shift of the consumption function as per option C.

Actually, the question is not as precisely worded as it could have been. If C is given as the correct answer, the implication is that households decide to save *the same amount* more at each level of income. That could have been made explicit.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: @Zafir Khalid I've edited my answer to highlight the role of autonomous consumption.  I believe it's an improvement - but you are free to withdraw your acceptance if you disagree.  

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