Economic growth can be depicted as A) a change in the country’s MRS. B) a change in the country’s MRT. C) a shift of the country’s production possibilities frontier to the right. D) a shift of the country’s production possibilities frontier to the left. ANSWER C
When the isocost line is tangent to the isoquant, then A) MPL = MPK. B) the firm is producing that level of output at minimum cost. C) the firm has achieved the right economies of scale. D) All of the above. ANSWER B
In the short run, average variable costs are minimized when A) MPL equals APL. B) APL is maximized. C) MPL is maximized and APL is increasing. D) Both A and B. ANSWER D
Explain the logic behind the First Theorem of Welfare Economics. What will be an ideal response? ANSWER A competitive market allows all the voluntary trades desired by people who face the same price. No additional voluntary trades can occur so there is no way to make someone better off. Thus, a competitive equilibrium is […]
The “Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns” could also be termed the “Law of Increasing Marginal Costs.” Indicate whether the statement is true or false ANSWER True . Since MC = w/MPL in the short run, the fact that MPL eventually declines means that MC must eventually increase.
Explain why Robin Hood’s practice of stealing from the rich to give to the poor is never Pareto efficient. What will be an ideal response? ANSWER When Robin steals from the rich, those people are made worse off. This cannot be Pareto efficient.
A consumer purchases a book by driving across town to a bookstore, standing in line for five minutes to pay the cashier, and then pays $5. The same book is purchased by another consumer who spends 2 minutes placing the order over the Internet for $10. The book necessarily cost the first consumer less. Indicate […]
True or false? The Edgeworth box version of interpersonal trade requires the individuals to be in close proximity of one another. A) True, that way they can see each other’s endowments and prices. B) False, being in close proximity is not required for mutually beneficial trade to occur in the Edgeworth box. C) True, the […]
In a two-agent and two-good economy, a competitive market equilibrium occurs when A) the agents’ indifference curves are tangent to the price line. B) the agents’ marginal rate of substitution are zero. C) the excess supply exceeds the excess demand. D) the agents’ indifference curves intersect the price line. ANSWER A
In the short run, a firm’s output level is 5 units. Its average cost is $40 and its fixed cost is $50. What is this firm’s variable cost of producing 5 units? A) VC = $50 B) VC = $100 C) VC = $150 D) VC = $175 ANSWER C