Economists usually assume that people act in a rational, self-interested way. in explaining how consumers make choices this means that economists believea) consumers will always buy goods and services at the lowest possible prices. b) consumers spend their incomes to order to accumulate the most goods and services. c) consumers make choices that will leave them as satisfied as possible given their incomes, tastes, and the prices of goods and services available to them. d) consumers will spend their incomes and time on activities that benefit themselves as much as possible, without regard to the welfare of others.

In the fall, jay thompson decided to live in a university dormitory. he signed a dorm contract under which he was obligated to pay the room rent for the full college year. one clause stated that if he moved out during the year, he could sell his dorm contract to another student who would move into the dormitory as his replacement. the dorm cost was $5000 for the two semesters, which jay had already paid a month after he moved into the dorm, he decided he would prefer to live in an apartment. that week, after some searching for a replacement to fulfill his dorm contract, jay had two offers. one student offered to move in immediately and to pay jay $300 per month for the eight remaining months of the school year. a second student offered to move in the second semester and pay $2500 to jay. jay estimates his food cost per month is $500 if he lives in the dorm and $450 if he lives in an apartment with three other students. his share of the apartment rent and utilities will be $404 per month. assume each semester is 4.5 months long. disregard the small differences in the timing of the disbursements or receipts. what is the cost of the cheapest alternative?