Answer
Doraemon's human wealth over the next three years is |1,778,928; Nobita's human wealth is |1,136,928. Doraemon's total wealth is the same as his human wealth, |1,778,928, while Nobita's total wealth is |1,636,928.
Key Concept
Human Wealth and Total Wealth Calculation
Explanation
Human wealth is the present value of future income streams. Total wealth includes human wealth plus nonhuman wealth. The formula for calculating the present value of future income is:
PV=(1+r)1Y+(1+r)2Y(1+g)+(1+r)3Y(1+g)2
where Y is the initial salary after tax, g is the real growth rate of the salary, and r is the real interest rate. For Doraemon and Nobita, the initial salaries after tax are |560,000 and |360,000, respectively. The real growth rate g is 2%, and the real interest rate r is 20%. Nobita's nonhuman wealth is |500,000, which is added to his human wealth to get his total wealth. Answer
An increase in the tax rate to 40% would decrease the human wealth of both Doraemon and Nobita, but Nobita's relative wealth position improves due to his nonhuman wealth. Their permanent consumption levels would decrease, but Nobita's would be less affected due to his nonhuman wealth.
Key Concept
Impact of Tax Rate on Wealth and Permanent Consumption
Explanation
The increase in the tax rate reduces the after-tax salary, which in turn reduces the present value of future income streams, i.e., human wealth. Permanent consumption is based on the permanent income hypothesis, which states that individuals base their consumption on their expected long-term average income. With higher taxes, the expected long-term average income decreases, leading to a decrease in permanent consumption levels. However, Nobita's nonhuman wealth provides a buffer against the reduction in human wealth, thus his permanent consumption level would be less adversely affected compared to Doraemon's.