Initial Utility

Initial utility is the satisfaction derived from consuming the very first unit of a good. It represents the only point on a utility curve where marginal utility is equal to total utility. On a Cartesian plane, initial utility is identified at the intersection of the marginal utility curve and the total utility curve.

For instance, consuming the first unit of good q yields a utility level of U₁. Since the starting point is zero utility, U₁ simultaneously represents both the marginal utility (U_M) and the total utility (U_tot) for the consumer.