Consumer Utility Maximization in 3D

Consumer theory holds that a shopper picks the bundle of two goods that maximizes satisfaction (utility) without exceeding a fixed budget. This simulator renders that as an actual 3D optimization: a Cobb-Douglas utility surface rises above the plane of possible quantities of goods X and Y, the budget constraint appears as a straight line across that plane, and the point where the surface reaches its highest value directly above the budget line is the optimal bundle — the same point where an indifference curve is tangent to the budget line. Adjust income, the two prices and the preference weight to watch the surface, the budget line and the optimum move together.