Difference Between Cardinal and Ordinal Utility (With Table)

Cardinal vs Ordinal Utility

The key difference between Cardinal and Ordinal Utility lies in the fact that cardinal utility means to express the impression of any goods or service in numbers. Ordinal utility means that impression of any goods or service cannot be calculated in terms of number.

Cardinal utility was introduced by classical and neo-classical economists, whereas ordinal utility was come into existence by modern economists.

The utility can be defined as a psychological phenomenon which shows the rewarding influence of a commodity or a service. It varies from person to person because it relies on an individual’s mental disposition. It is necessary to measure the utility.

The two different ideas of the utility are ordinal and cardinal utility. The ordinal utility helps in expressing the use of a product by comparing it with the other products.

On the other hand, the cardinal utility helps in measuring the utility of the product with the help of the product’s weight, length, temperature, etc.

Comparison Table Between Cardinal and Ordinal Utility (in Tabular Form)

Parameter of ComparisonCardinal UtilityOrdinal Utility
Proposed ByMarshalJR Hicks & Allen
RealisticLessMore
MeasurableYesNo
ApproachQuantitativeQualitative
AnalysisMarginal UtilityIndifference Curve
Promoted byNeo-classical economistsModern economists
ExpressedCan be expressed numericallyCannot be expressed numerically
Measurement of satisfactionCardinal utility is measured in ‘Utils’No such Units
Theories FollowedMarginal UtilityIndifference Curve Analysis
Budget Line
NaturePsychologicalReal & Comparable

What is Cardinal Utility?

The Cardinal Utility approach is given by the neo-classical economist named Marshal who claimed that the utility of a commodity can be measured.

He said that the user can show the level of their satisfaction in the numerical form, such as 1, 2, 3, etc. Also, according to this procedure, the utility can be expressed in a very similar way as we describe the height and weight of a product.

The neoclassical economist also established this theory based on assuming the value of a product. Apart from this, the cardinal utility is not realistic as it is impossible to measure the utility of a product.

In order to make the numbering of utility possible, Marshal created a unit of measurement which is known as “Utils”. A single ‘Util’ is equal to one rupee, and the use of money remains static.

With time, it has been realized that the measurement of the utility of a product is not at all possible. It is a bit difficult to quantify the use of a product. You cannot explain the likes and dislikes of a product in numbers.

The utility derived from the subsequent units of a product is decreasing. In other terms, the cardinal utility of a product falls when the user acquires larger quantities of it.

The theory of cardinal utility helps each of us to have an opinion regarding the utility of a product in different ways. Cardinal Value is the belief that economic benefits can be directly measured and valued.

The concept of cardinal utility is relevant to the rational choice theory. It says that customers make the best decisions to optimize their utility.

What is Ordinal Utility?

It is proposed by the modern economist named R.G.D.Allen and J.R.Hicks. The Ordinal Utility is based on the theory that the utility of a product cannot be determined in complete quantities.

Therefore, it is possible for the customer to express it in ordinal terms. It is based upon the fact that whether the service they are using is giving them pleasure or not.

The modern economists have dismissed the idea of cardinal value and have instead adapted an ordinal utility method to the study of the behavior of the customers.

Although neoclassical economists claim that the utility can be calculated and represented with the help of the cardinal numbers, modern economists suggest that the psychological phenomena cannot be assessed objectively, quantitatively, or even numerically.

If explained simply, the measurement of utility is ordinal is qualitative, based on the ranking of the product’s tastes. For example, suppose someone prefers to have mango over apple and then orange. Then this person can rank his/her preferences as mango > apple > orange.

In fact, the modern economist Hicks used the ordinal utility principle to research consumer behavior. He launched an analysis tool called the “Indifference Curve” to evaluate the behavior of the user.

This indifference curve refers to the locus of points, each of them shows the different combinations of two substitutes that give the same level of satisfaction and benefit to the consumer.

The ordinal utility follows a single product analysis in which the utility of one

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element is assumed to be independent of the other. Alfred Marshall stopped addressing alternatives and complementary products by bringing them together as one product.

The indifference curve strategy in ordinal utility is a two-product analysis which addresses the consumer behavior in case of alternatives products.

It is therefore equivalent to the study of the utility analysis. Also, it provides a better classification of alternative products.

Main Differences BetweenCardinal and Ordinal Utility

1. Cardinal utility can be measured numerically, whereas ordinal utility cannot be expressed numerically.
2. ‘Utils’ is the unit of cardinal utility and is used to measure it, whereas the ordinal has n such units. Rather it is measured with the help of the ranking of the priority that each product has in your life when compared to each other.
3. The cardinal utility method is given by Alfred Marshall and his supporters. Likewise, the ordinal utility method is given by Allen & JR Hicks.
4. Cardinal utility is focused on the study of marginal utility. In contrast, the theory of ordinal utility is based on the study of indifference curves analysis.
5. Cardinal utility is less practical, as it is not possible to calculate the quantitative utility of every product. On the other hand, the ordinal utility is more realistic because it relies on qualitative measurement.
6. The ordinal utility claims that the contentment that the customer derives after using a product or service can’t be measured numerically. Cardinal utility is the utility in which the satisfaction derived by users from the consumption of goods or services can be expressed in a numeric way.

🌕 Who gave ordinal utility analysis?

Modern Economist Hicks studied customer behavior by applying the ordinal utility concept.

To analyze consumer behavior, Hicks introduced a tool called “Indifference Curve.” Hence, Hicks was the first modern economist to give ordinal utility analysis.

🌈 What is equi marginal utility?

The equi-marginal utility explains the behavior of a customer who is consuming more than one commodity.

It dictates that a consumer must spend his income among different goods in such a way that the last rupee spent each on each commodity will yield equal marginal utility to him.

It means he will get the maximum satisfaction with the limited income.

🌞 How is utility measured?

The utility is basically a qualitative concept. Thus it is hard to measure. It means the pleasure of satisfaction a consumer gets from a product, service, or a particular action. Two concepts were introduced to measure utility:

a) Cardinal utility – Assignment of a numeric value and assume that utility can be measured numerically. The unit to measure cardinal utility is utils.

Example – A person receives a utility of 20 utils after buying mango. The same person gets a utility of 50 utils from a pizza.

b) Ordinal utility – This concept uses ranking to measure the utility. It means you rank your choices depends on your preference.

Example – A person like mangoes more than apples, but he cannot say how much in terms of cardinal utility.

What is diminishing marginal utility?

Diminishing marginal utility law explains that the marginal utility of a service or goods decreases with respect to the increase in its available supply.

What is a cardinal utility function?

A cardinal utility function is also called a cardinal utility-scale. It is a utility index that maintains orderings of preference up to positive affine in a unique way.

🌈 Why is diminishing marginal utility important?

The law of diminishing marginal utility is essential and useful in multiple ways.

1. This law is important to consumers. Based on this law, a consumer can spend one’s income to purchase a suitable quantity of products to maximize one’s satisfaction.
2. This law is also useful to reduce the unequal distribution of wealth. Based on this law, the government imposes the progressive tax. It means lower tax rates for the poor and higher tax rates for the rich.
3. This law is also helpful in determining the price of a product.

Conclusion

These two approaches to the demand analysis mentioned above are not in contest with each other, but instead, they represent two different levels of intellect during the analysis of consumer behavior.

Both the ordinal and cardinal utility are essential for the estimation and measurement of consumer demand for a product or service. In total, the ordinal utility is more acceptable when compared to the cardinal utility.

Word Cloud for Difference Between Cardinal and Ordinal Utility

The following is a collection of the most used terms in this article on Cardinal and Ordinal Utility. This should help in recalling related terms as used in this article at a later stage for you.