Which of the following best describes consumer surplus in the context of willingness to pay?

• A. The market price of a good minus the equilibrium price
• B. The cost incurred by producers to supply a good
• C. The difference between what a consumer is willing to pay and what they actually pay for a good
• D. The total amount paid by consumers for a good

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of consumer surplus: it represents the benefit or gain consumers receive when they pay less for a good than the maximum amount they are willing to pay.
2. Identify the willingness to pay (WTP) as the highest price a consumer is ready to pay for a good or service.
3. Recognize that the actual price paid is the market price, which is often lower than the willingness to pay for some consumers.
4. Express consumer surplus mathematically as the difference between willingness to pay and the actual price paid: \(\text{Consumer Surplus} = \text{WTP} - \text{Price Paid}\).
5. Conclude that consumer surplus measures the extra value or utility consumers receive beyond what they pay, distinguishing it from producer costs or total payments.