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Opportunity Cost Shadow Price Term Tool

Return the local objective change at a supplied shadow price, holding the active optimization basis fixed.

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Description

objectiveChange = resourceChange*shadowPrice, with shadowPrice in objective units per resource unit.

An economic model specifies how quantities, prices or marginal values relate under stated assumptions. A derivative, reaction function or first-order-condition term is a local model object rather than an empirical finding or complete equilibrium solution.

objectiveChange = resourceChange*shadowPrice, with shadowPrice in objective units per resource unit.

When to use this tool

Use Opportunity Cost Shadow Price Term when checking one explicit theoretical economic-model relationship.

How to use the tool and how it works

  1. Enter resourceChange, shadowPrice. Use the units and conventions below.
  2. Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
  3. Read objectiveChange. Use the output convention below.

objectiveChange = resourceChange*shadowPrice, with shadowPrice in objective units per resource unit.1

Input fieldMeaning and unitsAccepted input
resourceChangeResource ChangeRequired. Finite number.
shadowPriceShadow PriceRequired. Finite number.
Output fieldInterpretationReturned shape
objectiveChangeObjective ChangeRequired. Finite number.
json
{
  "input": {
    "resourceChange": 4,
    "shadowPrice": 12
  },
  "output": {
    "objectiveChange": 48
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

  • This is a local linear sensitivity term. Shadow prices are supplied and need not remain valid after a large resource change or a change of active constraints.
  • Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
  • Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.

Alternative or Complementary methods

Use a complete model, defensible parameter estimates and suitable identification before drawing empirical or policy conclusions.

References

  1. Calculation and input contract: economics/opportunity-cost-shadow-price-term — tool.io

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