Marginal Benefit Formula

Formula to Calculate Marginal Benefit

Marginal Benefit Formula helps an organization to determine the optimal level of benefit derived from consumption. It also helps the organization to calculate the estimated quantity of its product/ service which will be demanded by the market. It helps in increasing cost efficiency in running a business. In short, it helps an organization to run its business more efficiently.

Marginal benefit is the progressive increase in favor of a consumer as a result of increased consumption by an extra unit of product or service purchased. The consumer’s satisfaction tends to decrease as consumption increases.

Calculation of Marginal Benefit

The marginal benefit calculation contains basically two parts.

Change in Total Benefits

This part comprises the change in total benefit and is derived by deducting the total benefit of the current consumption from previous consumption. Let us develop a better understanding with the help of the following example. Say by consuming first banana, a consumer gains benefit of 10 units whereas the second banana leads to the total benefit of 18. To arrive at the change in total Benefit between the second and first banana, we need to deduct the total Benefit of the first banana from the second banana. The result is a total Benefit of 8 (18 – 10).

Change in Number of Units Consumed

This part comprises calculating the change in the number of units consumed. It is derived by deducting the number of the unit that is currently being consumed from a previously consumed unit. The change in units consumed from the second and first banana is 1 (2 – 1).

When both parts are calculated, the marginal benefit is derived by dividing the change in total Benefit by the change in the number of units consumed.

Examples

Example #1

Suppose, a consumer Harry buys and consumes an ice cream, let the benefit derived from the ice cream is measured as 50 units. Harry consumes another three ice cream. The benefit derived from 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th ice cream is 40, 35 and 25. Now, the marginal benefit will be calculated as a difference of benefit derived divided by change in consumption. Calculate marginal benefit for 1st & 2nd and 1st & 3rd unit of Ice cream.

Solution:

Use the given data for the calculation of marginal benefit.

Calculation of Marginal Benefit for 1st and 2nd Ice Cream can be done as follows:

Marginal Benefit for 1^st and 2^nd ice cream is (50-40) / (2^nd – 1^st unit)

Marginal Benefit for 1st and 2nd Ice Cream will be –

Marginal Benefit for 1st and 2nd Ice Cream = 10

Calculation of Marginal Benefit for 3rd and 1st Ice Cream can be done as follows:

Marginal benefit for 3^rd and 1^st ice cream is (50 – 35) / (3^rd – 1^st unit)

Marginal Benefit for 3rd and 1st Ice Cream will be –

Marginal Benefit for 3rd and 1st Ice Cream = 7.5

Example #2

Mr. Peter runs a business of selling tea. Based on past selling experience, he has estimated benefit derived from consuming his tea mentioned as follows: 

You are required to calculate marginal benefit for each extra unit sold.

Solution:

Marginal Benefit for Quantity of Tea One is calculated as follows:

Marginal Benefit for Quantity of Tea One = (300-0)/(1-0)

Marginal Benefit for Quantity of Tea One will be –

Marginal Benefit for Quantity of Tea One = 300

Similarly, we can calculate the marginal benefit for the remaining quantity of tea.

Example #3

Let’s say Mr. Harry sells ice cream at $10 each. The variable cost of making is $5 per unit. This leaves a gross profit of $5 per unit. (Fixed cost ignored for simplicity).

Solution:

Use the given data for the calculation of marginal benefit.

On a Sunday, he sells 100 units leading to a gross profit of $5 x 100 units, or $500.

But for increasing sales, harry decides to lower the price to $9 each. At this price, you would make a gross profit of $4 per unit.

Due to the reduced prices, sales volume increases to 180 units. The first 100 consumers were agreeing to pay $10, so they’re even happier to pay $9. Further, 75 more customers joined and are willing to pay $9. The gross profit is now 720.

Calculation of Marginal Benefit can be done as follows:

The marginal benefit will be ($720-$500)/(180 units – 100 units)

Marginal Benefit will be –

Marginal Benefit = 2.75

The final sales price may be calculated by the seller based on different factors affecting its business.

Relevance and Uses

• Based on the optimal level of benefit, an organization may prepare the budget for quantity to be produced.

Key Takeaways

• The change in the number of Benefits derived by the customer by increasing consumption by one additional unit of goods/ service is a marginal benefit.
• Marginal benefit is inversely related to consumption, i.e. with the increase in consumption, marginal benefit decreases.
• When the production or service increases, the change in cost that incurs is the marginal cost of production.
• The marginal benefit formula helps in determining the most efficient level of service or product demanded.
• Also, it helps to achieve economies of scale.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to Marginal Benefit Formula. Here we discuss how to calculate marginal benefit using its formula along with practical examples and downloadable excel template. You can learn more about financial analysis from the following articles –

• What is the Marginal Product of Capital?
• Formula of Marginal Product
• Formula of Marginal Cost
• Formula of Average Variable Cost
• Formula of Marginal Revenue