When the slope of the total utility curve is declining, the marginal utility of a consumer will be increasing if he

  • A stops consuming more of the commodity
  • B reduces the quantity consumed
  • C increases the quantity consumed
  • D consumes more of another commodity

The correct answer is B. reduces the quantity consumed

Marginal utility refers to the additional satisfaction a consumer derives from the consumption of an additional unit of a product. As more and more of a product is consumed by that consumer, the utility/satisfaction he gets reduces.  

Therefore, the marginal utility of a product is greater when a person has fewer of them, but as the accumulation of goods increases, the marginal utility of additional goods declines.

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