Classify the following as positive economics statements or normative economics statements.a) An increase in an individual's income increases consumption, but by an amount less than the increase in income.b) The government should undertake the responsibility of providing healthcare to all its citizens.c) A trade deficit can be advantageous to an economy.d) An increase in net exports has a positive effect on a country's national income. e) The gross domestic product of India is increasing at 5% annually.
  • a) An increase in an individual's income increases consumption, but by an amount less than the increase in income: Positive economic statementb) The government should undertake the responsibility of providing healthcare to all its citizens: Normative economic statementc) A trade deficit can be advantageous to an economy: Normative economic statementd) An increase in net exports has a positive effect on a country's national income: Positive economic statemente) The gross domestic product of India is increasing at 5% annually: Positive economic statement
  • An increase in social security benefits will increase the welfare of all economic agents.
  • Cost-benefit analysis is a calculation that adds up the costs and benefits of a particular choice using a common unit of measurement. It involves the conversion of all costs and benefits into a common unit of measurement so that they can be compared. The difference between the benefits and costs of choosing an alternative is referred to as the net benefit of the alternative. The alternative with the highest net benefit is the optimal choice.
  • An increase in income causes an increase in savings.
What is cost-benefit analysis? What are the steps involved in using cost-benefit analysis to make the optimal choice?
  • Cost-benefit analysis can also be used for normative economic analysis.
  • Positive economics is analysis that generates objective descriptions or predictions about the world that can be verified with data. It is analysis that describes what people actually do. "A 5% fall in the unemployment rate will lead to a 2% increase in the inflation rate" is an example of a positive economic statement. Normative economics, on the other hand, is analysis that prescribes what an individual or society ought to do. It is subjective and depends on personal preferences, tastes, attitudes, feelings, or ethical judgments. "Pollution in developing countries is one of the biggest global environmental problems" is an example of a normative economic statement.
  • Cost-benefit analysis is a calculation that adds up the costs and benefits of a particular choice using a common unit of measurement. It involves the conversion of all costs and benefits into a common unit of measurement so that they can be compared. The difference between the benefits and costs of choosing an alternative is referred to as the net benefit of the alternative. The alternative with the highest net benefit is the optimal choice.
  • In most economic situations, an economic agent is not optimizing individually. His decision is influenced by the decisions taken by other economic agents. In equilibrium, each and every economic agent is doing the best that they can do, given the information they have and given the actions of other economic agents. Therefore, nobody perceives a benefit from changing his or her behavior.
How does microeconomics differ from macroeconomics?
  • no economic agent will want to change his or her behavior.
  • Microeconomics is the study of how individuals, households, firms, and governments make choices, and how those choices affect prices, the allocation of resources, and the well-being of other agents. On the other hand, macroeconomics is the study of the economy as a whole. The scope of macroeconomics extends to the study of economy-wide phenomena, like the growth rate of an economy, the nation-wide unemployment rate, or the inflation rate.
  • Microeconomics deals with a small part of the economy, whereas macroeconomics deals with aggregate economic performance.
  • Trade-offs occur because of scarcity: economic agents need to satisfy their wants with limited resources. Therefore, in most cases, some benefits have to be given up in order to gain some other benefits. Budget constraints quantify the relevant trade-offs that an economic agent faces. Once trade-offs are quantified, rational decision making becomes easier allowing the individual to make an optimal decision.
If Tom spends 4 hours a day on Facebook and the minimum wage in his country is $7 per hour, what is his opportunity cost of spending time on Facebook? Given that spending time on Facebook has an opportunity cost, does this analysis suggest that Tom should work rather than spending his time on social networking?
  • Kevin's optimal choice would depend on the net benefits of both options. Net benefit of taking up art classes = $100 - $70 = $30Net benefit of taking up cooking classes = $160 - $120 = $40Therefore, given the costs and benefits involved, Kevin should sign up for the French cooking classes rather than the art classes.
  • In most economic situations, an economic agent is not optimizing individually. His decision is influenced by the decisions taken by other economic agents. In equilibrium, each and every economic agent is doing the best that they can do, given the information they have and given the actions of other economic agents. Therefore, nobody perceives a benefit from changing his or her behavior.
  • Opportunity cost refers to the best alternative use of a resource. In this case, the resource is time. So, if Tom decided to work instead of spending time on Facebook, he would earn $7 every hour. Therefore, Tom's opportunity cost of spending time on Facebook is equal to 7 × 4 = $28.No, economic analysis does not dictate choices. Economics would not tell Tom what to do; it will only help him identify the trade-offs that he is making in his decisions. Whether Tom chooses to work or spend time on Facebook is a normative choice that Tom should make based on costs and benefits.
  • a) An increase in an individual's income increases consumption, but by an amount less than the increase in income: Positive economic statementb) The government should undertake the responsibility of providing healthcare to all its citizens: Normative economic statementc) A trade deficit can be advantageous to an economy: Normative economic statementd) An increase in net exports has a positive effect on a country's national income: Positive economic statemente) The gross domestic product of India is increasing at 5% annually: Positive economic statement
Define economics. Who are economic agents?
  • Economics is the study of how agents choose to allocate scarce resources and how these choices affect society. An economic agent is an individual or a group that makes choices.
  • $20 = ($2 × Quantity of pens) + ($1 × Quantity of pencils)
  • Normative
  • An individual who sneaks inside a music concert
a) Sam pays $600 for 30 days of guitar classes. He attends an hour-long class every day. If, instead of attending class, he works at a part-time job, he would be paid $5 an hour. Or, he could work at a fast-food outlet and earn $9 per hour. Once he has already paid a nonrefundable fee of $600 to enroll in the class, what is his opportunity cost of attending each hour of class?b) Suppose workers decide to work more and consume less leisure when their hourly wage rate increases. What could explain this behavior?
  • Opportunity cost refers to the best alternative use of a resource. In this case, the resource is time. So, if Tom decided to work instead of spending time on Facebook, he would earn $7 every hour. Therefore, Tom's opportunity cost of spending time on Facebook is equal to 7 × 4 = $28.No, economic analysis does not dictate choices. Economics would not tell Tom what to do; it will only help him identify the trade-offs that he is making in his decisions. Whether Tom chooses to work or spend time on Facebook is a normative choice that Tom should make based on costs and benefits.
  • a) Sam's opportunity cost will measure the next best use of an hour of his time plus the hourly cost of guitar classes. Once he pays the nonrefundable $600, there is no other cost other than the value of his time. With an hour of time, he has two options: work for $5 per hour, or work for $9 per hour. Therefore, the next best use of an hour that Sam spends on guitar classes is equal to the $9 he could have earned per hour by working at the fast-food outlet. Sam's opportunity cost of attending his guitar classes is $9 per hour.b) With an increase in their hourly wage rates, workers work more and consume less leisure due to a change in their opportunity cost. Assuming that the initial wage of an employee is $10 per hour, the opportunity cost of one hour of rest or leisure is $10 per hour. Now, if the wage rate increases from $10 to $20 per hour, the opportunity cost of one hour of rest or leisure also increases to $20 per hour. Therefore, taking an hour of rest becomes more expensive for employees and they tend to work more than they used to.
  • Cost-benefit analysis is a calculation that adds up costs and benefits using a common unit of measurement. It is used to identify the alternative that has the greatest net benefit, which is equivalent to benefits minus costs.If Wendy decides to drive down instead of flying, she saves ($800 - $300) = $500. But driving down to California takes an additional 8 hours of travelling time. Therefore, the net benefit of driving relative to flying = ($500 cost saving) - (8 hours of additional travelling time) × ($20/hour) = $500 - $160 = $340. Because the net benefit of driving is positive, driving to California is an optimum choice for Wendy when the opportunity cost of time is $20 per hour. If the opportunity cost of time changes, the net benefit of driving relative to flying will also change. Net benefit of driving relative to flying when the opportunity cost of time is $200 per hour = ($500 cost saving) - (8 hours of additional travelling time) × ($200/hour) = $500 - $1,600 = -$1,100.Because the net benefit of driving relative to flying is negative, flying to California is an optimum choice for Wendy when the opportunity cost of time is $200 per hour.
  • Positive economics is analysis that generates objective descriptions or predictions about the world that can be verified with data. It is analysis that describes what people actually do. "A 5% fall in the unemployment rate will lead to a 2% increase in the inflation rate" is an example of a positive economic statement. Normative economics, on the other hand, is analysis that prescribes what an individual or society ought to do. It is subjective and depends on personal preferences, tastes, attitudes, feelings, or ethical judgments. "Pollution in developing countries is one of the biggest global environmental problems" is an example of a normative economic statement.
When a market is in equilibrium, both buyers and sellers do not perceive a benefit from changing their behavior. Why?
  • Positive economics is analysis that generates objective descriptions or predictions about the world that can be verified with data. It is analysis that describes what people actually do. "A 5% fall in the unemployment rate will lead to a 2% increase in the inflation rate" is an example of a positive economic statement. Normative economics, on the other hand, is analysis that prescribes what an individual or society ought to do. It is subjective and depends on personal preferences, tastes, attitudes, feelings, or ethical judgments. "Pollution in developing countries is one of the biggest global environmental problems" is an example of a normative economic statement.
  • In most economic situations, an economic agent is not optimizing individually. His decision is influenced by the decisions taken by other economic agents. In equilibrium, each and every economic agent is doing the best that they can do, given the information they have and given the actions of other economic agents. Therefore, nobody perceives a benefit from changing his or her behavior.
  • no economic agent will want to change his or her behavior.
  • The conditions that are satisfied when the market for pizza slices is in equilibrium are:a) The number of pizza slices manufactured by sellers will equal the number of pizza slices purchased by buyers.b) Pizza sellers will produce pizzas at the point where the cost of production is less than or equal to the market price of $1. c) Buyers will consume pizza as long as the benefit that they derive from consumption is at least equal to the market price of $1.
Suppose the market for pizza slices is in equilibrium at a price of $1 per slice. What conditions are likely to be satisfied in the pizza slice market?
  • Cost-benefit analysis is a calculation that adds up the costs and benefits of a particular choice using a common unit of measurement. It involves the conversion of all costs and benefits into a common unit of measurement so that they can be compared. The difference between the benefits and costs of choosing an alternative is referred to as the net benefit of the alternative. The alternative with the highest net benefit is the optimal choice.
  • Microeconomics is the study of how individuals, households, firms, and governments make choices, and how those choices affect prices, the allocation of resources, and the well-being of other agents. On the other hand, macroeconomics is the study of the economy as a whole. The scope of macroeconomics extends to the study of economy-wide phenomena, like the growth rate of an economy, the nation-wide unemployment rate, or the inflation rate.
  • The conditions that are satisfied when the market for pizza slices is in equilibrium are:a) The number of pizza slices manufactured by sellers will equal the number of pizza slices purchased by buyers.b) Pizza sellers will produce pizzas at the point where the cost of production is less than or equal to the market price of $1. c) Buyers will consume pizza as long as the benefit that they derive from consumption is at least equal to the market price of $1.
  • In most economic situations, an economic agent is not optimizing individually. His decision is influenced by the decisions taken by other economic agents. In equilibrium, each and every economic agent is doing the best that they can do, given the information they have and given the actions of other economic agents. Therefore, nobody perceives a benefit from changing his or her behavior.
What are scarce resources? Why are economic agents concerned with the allocation of these resources?
  • a) Optimization: Optimization refers to the process of choosing the best option from a set of alternatives, given the available information. b) Equilibrium: Equilibrium is a special situation where everyone is simultaneously optimizing, so that nobody would benefit personally by changing his or her behavior.c) Empiricism: Empiricism is analysis that is evidence-based as it uses data to test theories and to determine what is causing things to happen in the world.
  • $30 per hour.
  • Scarce resources are resources for which the quantity that people want exceeds the quantity that is freely available. Economic agents need to satisfy their unlimited wants in a world of limited resources. This makes it important for them to understand how these scarce resources are to be used and distributed in order to optimize allocation.
  • The quantity of cameras produced will equal the quantity of cameras bought in the market.
What is the rationale behind empiricism in economic analysis?
  • The conditions that are satisfied when the market for pizza slices is in equilibrium are:a) The number of pizza slices manufactured by sellers will equal the number of pizza slices purchased by buyers.b) Pizza sellers will produce pizzas at the point where the cost of production is less than or equal to the market price of $1. c) Buyers will consume pizza as long as the benefit that they derive from consumption is at least equal to the market price of $1.
  • Empiricism refers to the use of data to test theoretical ideas or concepts. Empiricism is important as it enables economists to determine whether economic theories are consistent with actual human behavior. This enables economists to refute faulty theories or modify them such that they would better fit the real world. Empiricism also enables researchers to identify causal relationships between sets of variables.
  • a) Optimization: Optimization refers to the process of choosing the best option from a set of alternatives, given the available information. b) Equilibrium: Equilibrium is a special situation where everyone is simultaneously optimizing, so that nobody would benefit personally by changing his or her behavior.c) Empiricism: Empiricism is analysis that is evidence-based as it uses data to test theories and to determine what is causing things to happen in the world.
  • Trade-offs occur because of scarcity: economic agents need to satisfy their wants with limited resources. Therefore, in most cases, some benefits have to be given up in order to gain some other benefits. Budget constraints quantify the relevant trade-offs that an economic agent faces. Once trade-offs are quantified, rational decision making becomes easier allowing the individual to make an optimal decision.
A consumer has a monthly income of $100 that he wants to spend on two goods: rugs priced at $10 and chairs priced at $What is the consumer's opportunity cost of buying a rug? What is his opportunity cost of buying a chair? Use a table to represent the consumer's budget constraint.
  • Opportunity cost is the best alternative use of a resource. Buying one rug costs $10, and each chair costs $5. So, one rug can be purchased with the same amount of money used to buy two chairs. Therefore, the opportunity cost of buying a rug is 2 chairs. Similarly, the opportunity cost of buying a chair is half a rug. The consumer's budget constraint is given by: $100 = 10 × (Quantity of rugs) + 5 × (Quantity of chairs) The following table shows the various combinations of rugs and chairs that the consumer can buy with $100.
  • opportunity cost.
  • 2 magazines and 4 DVDs
  • Opportunity cost refers to the best alternative use of a resource. In this case, the resource is time. So, if Tom decided to work instead of spending time on Facebook, he would earn $7 every hour. Therefore, Tom's opportunity cost of spending time on Facebook is equal to 7 × 4 = $28.No, economic analysis does not dictate choices. Economics would not tell Tom what to do; it will only help him identify the trade-offs that he is making in his decisions. Whether Tom chooses to work or spend time on Facebook is a normative choice that Tom should make based on costs and benefits.
Explain the term "free riders."
  • Normative
  • free riding.
  • Empiricism refers to the use of data to test theoretical ideas or concepts. Empiricism is important as it enables economists to determine whether economic theories are consistent with actual human behavior. This enables economists to refute faulty theories or modify them such that they would better fit the real world. Empiricism also enables researchers to identify causal relationships between sets of variables.
  • Free riders are people who don't contribute but still benefit from the actions that others undertake. Sometimes people pursue their own private interests and don't contribute voluntarily to the public interest, and this causes free riding. For example, a free rider may avoid paying taxes but enjoy the same benefits enjoyed by tax payers.
Define opportunity cost. A student who has just graduated from college has three job offers: the first job pays him $35,000 a year, the second job pays him $23,000 a year, and the third one pays him $15,000 a year. What is the student's opportunity cost of taking the first job?
  • Opportunity cost is the best alternative use of a resource. It is what an economic agent is giving up when he chooses a particular option. If the individual decides to take the first job; he will earn $35,000 a year. The opportunity cost of taking this job is the next best offer that he could have taken up. Therefore, the opportunity cost of the first job is $23,000 a year
  • a) Optimization: Optimization refers to the process of choosing the best option from a set of alternatives, given the available information. b) Equilibrium: Equilibrium is a special situation where everyone is simultaneously optimizing, so that nobody would benefit personally by changing his or her behavior.c) Empiricism: Empiricism is analysis that is evidence-based as it uses data to test theories and to determine what is causing things to happen in the world.
  • Microeconomics is the study of how individuals, households, firms, and governments make choices, and how those choices affect prices, the allocation of resources, and the well-being of other agents. On the other hand, macroeconomics is the study of the economy as a whole. The scope of macroeconomics extends to the study of economy-wide phenomena, like the growth rate of an economy, the nation-wide unemployment rate, or the inflation rate.
  • Normative
Wendy has to decide between taking a flight and driving to California. Air tickets cost $800 and will get her to California in 2 hours. If she decides to drive, she would need $300 worth of gasoline and 10 hours to reach her destination. Suppose that Wendy's opportunity cost of time is $20 per hour. Assuming that there are no other costs involved, use cost-benefit analysis to decide whether she should fly or drive to California. If Wendy has an important business meeting to attend and this increases her opportunity cost of time to $200 per hour, will her optimum decision change? Explain.
  • a) Sam's opportunity cost will measure the next best use of an hour of his time plus the hourly cost of guitar classes. Once he pays the nonrefundable $600, there is no other cost other than the value of his time. With an hour of time, he has two options: work for $5 per hour, or work for $9 per hour. Therefore, the next best use of an hour that Sam spends on guitar classes is equal to the $9 he could have earned per hour by working at the fast-food outlet. Sam's opportunity cost of attending his guitar classes is $9 per hour.b) With an increase in their hourly wage rates, workers work more and consume less leisure due to a change in their opportunity cost. Assuming that the initial wage of an employee is $10 per hour, the opportunity cost of one hour of rest or leisure is $10 per hour. Now, if the wage rate increases from $10 to $20 per hour, the opportunity cost of one hour of rest or leisure also increases to $20 per hour. Therefore, taking an hour of rest becomes more expensive for employees and they tend to work more than they used to.
  • Cost-benefit analysis is a calculation that adds up costs and benefits using a common unit of measurement. It is used to identify the alternative that has the greatest net benefit, which is equivalent to benefits minus costs.If Wendy decides to drive down instead of flying, she saves ($800 - $300) = $500. But driving down to California takes an additional 8 hours of travelling time. Therefore, the net benefit of driving relative to flying = ($500 cost saving) - (8 hours of additional travelling time) × ($20/hour) = $500 - $160 = $340. Because the net benefit of driving is positive, driving to California is an optimum choice for Wendy when the opportunity cost of time is $20 per hour. If the opportunity cost of time changes, the net benefit of driving relative to flying will also change. Net benefit of driving relative to flying when the opportunity cost of time is $200 per hour = ($500 cost saving) - (8 hours of additional travelling time) × ($200/hour) = $500 - $1,600 = -$1,100.Because the net benefit of driving relative to flying is negative, flying to California is an optimum choice for Wendy when the opportunity cost of time is $200 per hour.
  • a) This report will pertain to macroeconomics. Macroeconomics refers to the study of an economy as a whole. Macroeconomics covers economy-wide phenomena, like the growth rate of a country's total economic output, the inflation rate, or the unemployment rate. The report suggests that the total unemployment rate in Lithasia has increased from 10.2% to 18.2% from 2003 to 2013. This estimation is a measure of the economy-wide aggregate unemployment, and is covered under macroeconomics.b) Microeconomics is the study of how individuals, households, firms, and governments make choices. The students are discussing how a firm should determine its profit-maximizing output. This is a discussion of an individual entity and so is considered microeconomic analysis.
  • Cost-benefit analysis
Why do trade-offs occur? How are budget constraints related to trade-offs?
  • Trade-offs occur because of scarcity: economic agents need to satisfy their wants with limited resources. Therefore, in most cases, some benefits have to be given up in order to gain some other benefits. Budget constraints quantify the relevant trade-offs that an economic agent faces. Once trade-offs are quantified, rational decision making becomes easier allowing the individual to make an optimal decision.
  • Price determination by a firm
  • An increase in income causes an increase in savings.
  • Total output of an economy
a) A recent news report stated that the unemployment rate in the country Lithasia had increased from 10.2% to 18.2% from 2003 to 2013 and that the government had adopted strict fiscal measures to expand employment. Would this report be considered microeconomic or macroeconomic analysis?b) Students in a class are discussing how a firm should determine its profit-maximizing output. Would this discussion be considered microeconomic or macroeconomic analysis?
  • Robert claims that a 5% reduction in unemployment will lead to a rise in a 2% in inflation. This statement represents predictions that can be verified with data. Therefore, Robert's approach is positive, which means it is an analysis of things as they are. Positive economics describes what has happened or predicts what will happen. The conclusion of his statement can be verified with data and is not subject to his tastes and preferences. Janet claims that inflation is a far bigger problem than unemployment and should be addressed with prime importance. Janet's statement is normative. Normative economics is analysis that recommends what people ought to do. Unlike Robert's statement, Janet's belief that inflation is a bigger problem than unemployment is based on her values and/or ethical judgments. Therefore, while Robert's statement is descriptive in nature, Janet's statement is advisory.
  • Cost-benefit analysis is a calculation that adds up the costs and benefits of a particular choice using a common unit of measurement. It involves the conversion of all costs and benefits into a common unit of measurement so that they can be compared. The difference between the benefits and costs of choosing an alternative is referred to as the net benefit of the alternative. The alternative with the highest net benefit is the optimal choice.
  • The conditions that are satisfied when the market for pizza slices is in equilibrium are:a) The number of pizza slices manufactured by sellers will equal the number of pizza slices purchased by buyers.b) Pizza sellers will produce pizzas at the point where the cost of production is less than or equal to the market price of $1. c) Buyers will consume pizza as long as the benefit that they derive from consumption is at least equal to the market price of $1.
  • a) This report will pertain to macroeconomics. Macroeconomics refers to the study of an economy as a whole. Macroeconomics covers economy-wide phenomena, like the growth rate of a country's total economic output, the inflation rate, or the unemployment rate. The report suggests that the total unemployment rate in Lithasia has increased from 10.2% to 18.2% from 2003 to 2013. This estimation is a measure of the economy-wide aggregate unemployment, and is covered under macroeconomics.b) Microeconomics is the study of how individuals, households, firms, and governments make choices. The students are discussing how a firm should determine its profit-maximizing output. This is a discussion of an individual entity and so is considered microeconomic analysis.
Robert and Janet are discussing unemployment and inflation in their country. Robert, on the basis of a recent newspaper report, claims that a 5% reduction in unemployment will lead to a 2% rise in inflation. On the other hand, Janet insists that inflation is a far bigger problem than unemployment and should be addressed with prime importance. Classify Robert's and Janet's statements as descriptive or advisory. Explain your answer.
  • Kevin's optimal choice would depend on the net benefits of both options. Net benefit of taking up art classes = $100 - $70 = $30Net benefit of taking up cooking classes = $160 - $120 = $40Therefore, given the costs and benefits involved, Kevin should sign up for the French cooking classes rather than the art classes.
  • a) This report will pertain to macroeconomics. Macroeconomics refers to the study of an economy as a whole. Macroeconomics covers economy-wide phenomena, like the growth rate of a country's total economic output, the inflation rate, or the unemployment rate. The report suggests that the total unemployment rate in Lithasia has increased from 10.2% to 18.2% from 2003 to 2013. This estimation is a measure of the economy-wide aggregate unemployment, and is covered under macroeconomics.b) Microeconomics is the study of how individuals, households, firms, and governments make choices. The students are discussing how a firm should determine its profit-maximizing output. This is a discussion of an individual entity and so is considered microeconomic analysis.
  • Robert claims that a 5% reduction in unemployment will lead to a rise in a 2% in inflation. This statement represents predictions that can be verified with data. Therefore, Robert's approach is positive, which means it is an analysis of things as they are. Positive economics describes what has happened or predicts what will happen. The conclusion of his statement can be verified with data and is not subject to his tastes and preferences. Janet claims that inflation is a far bigger problem than unemployment and should be addressed with prime importance. Janet's statement is normative. Normative economics is analysis that recommends what people ought to do. Unlike Robert's statement, Janet's belief that inflation is a bigger problem than unemployment is based on her values and/or ethical judgments. Therefore, while Robert's statement is descriptive in nature, Janet's statement is advisory.
  • Opportunity cost is the best alternative use of a resource. Buying one rug costs $10, and each chair costs $5. So, one rug can be purchased with the same amount of money used to buy two chairs. Therefore, the opportunity cost of buying a rug is 2 chairs. Similarly, the opportunity cost of buying a chair is half a rug. The consumer's budget constraint is given by: $100 = 10 × (Quantity of rugs) + 5 × (Quantity of chairs) The following table shows the various combinations of rugs and chairs that the consumer can buy with $100.
0:0:1



Answered

Not Answered

Not Visited
Correct : 0
Incorrect : 0