Chapter 2, Problem 13TPS

Subpart (a):

To determine

Production possibilities frontier of Mexico and United States.

Explanation of Solution

The production possibilities frontier of Mexico and United States is shown in Figure 1 below:

Figure 1 shows the PPF of Mexico and United States:

In Figure 1, the left side diagram shows PPF of Mexico and right side diagram shows the PPF of US. The vertical axis of both measures the number of computers produced by Mexico and United States, and the horizontal axis measures the number of shirts. Mexico produces 2 computers and 12 shirts, and United States produces 24 computers and 24 shirts.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Production possibilities frontier (PPF): PPF refers to the different combination of goods and services that can be produced efficiently with the given resources by a country. Any points inside the PPF represent inefficient usage of the resources, and any points outside the PPF represent that it is not attainable with the available resources.

Subpart (b):

To determine

Calculation of opportunity cost.

Explanation of Solution

The equation to calculate the opportunity cost is shown below.

$\text{Opportuntiy cost =}\left(\frac{\text{Give up unit}}{\text{Gained unit}}\right)$ (1)

Substitute the respective values in Equation (1) to calculate the opportunity cost of producing a shirt in Mexico.

$\begin{array}{c}{\text{Opportuntiy cost of shirt}}_{\text{Mexico}}\text{ =}\left(\frac{2}{12}\right)\\ =0.1666\end{array}$

Opportunity cost of producing a shirt in Mexico is 0.1666.

Substitute the respective values in Equation (1) to calculate the opportunity cost of producing a shirt in United States.

$\begin{array}{c}{\text{Opportuntiy cost of a shirt}}_{\text{United}\text{State}}\text{ =}\left(\frac{24}{24}\right)\\ =1\end{array}$

Opportunity cost of producing a shirt in United States is 1.

Mexico has to produce more number of shirts. This is because when comparing the opportunity cost of producing a shirt in both countries, Mexico has the lowest opportunity cost.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Opportunity cost: Opportunity cost refers to the value of forgone goods and services to consume the other goods and services.

$\text{Opportuntiy cost =}\left(\frac{\text{Give up unit}}{\text{Gained unit}}\right)$

Sub part (c):

To determine

Calculation of opportunity cost.

Explanation of Solution

Substitute the respective values in Equation (1) to calculate the opportunity cost of producing a computer in Mexico.

$\begin{array}{c}{\text{Opportuntiy cost of Computer}}_{\text{Mexico}}\text{ =}\left(\frac{12}{2}\right)\\ =6\end{array}$

The opportunity cost of producing a computer in Mexico is 6.

Substitute the respective values in Equation (1) to calculate the opportunity cost of producing a computer in United States.

$\begin{array}{c}{\text{Opportuntiy cost of Computer}}_{\text{United}\text{State}}\text{ =}\left(\frac{24}{24}\right)\\ =1\end{array}$

Opportunity cost of producing a computer in United States is 1.

United States has to produce more number of computers. This is because when comparing the opportunity of producing a computer in both countries, United States has the lowest opportunity cost.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Opportunity cost: Opportunity cost refers to the value of forgone goods and services to consume the other goods and services.

$\text{Opportuntiy cost =}\left(\frac{\text{Give up unit}}{\text{Gained unit}}\right)$

Sub part (d):

To determine

Production possibility frontier.

Explanation of Solution

On the basis of opportunity cost of producing a shirt and a computer in both countries, Mexico has a comparative advantage in producing a shirt and United States has a comparative advantage in producing a computer. The trade alliance between Mexico and United States is shown below.

Figure 2 shows the PPF of trade alliance between United States and Mexico.

In Figure 2, the vertical axis measures the volume of production of computers and the horizontal axis measures the volume of production of shirts. United States produces 24 units of computer and Mexico produces 1 unit. In the case of shirt, Mexico produces 12 units and United States produces 24 units.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Production possibilities frontier (PPF): PPF refers to the different combination of goods and services that can be produced efficiently with the given resources by a country. Any points inside the PPF represent inefficient usage of the resources, and any points outside the PPF represent that it is not attainable with the available resources.

Sub part (e):

To determine

Production possibility frontier.

Explanation of Solution

The trade alliance after the entrance of Haiti is shown below:

Figure 3 shows the PPF of trade alliance of Haiti, Mexico, and United States.

In Figure 3, the vertical axis measures the volume of production of computers and the horizontal axis measures the volume of production of shirts. This is the new PPF after the trade alliance of Haiti with the trade alliance between Mexico and United States. Haiti is producing 1 unit of computer and 12 units of shirt.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Production possibilities frontier (PPF): PPF refers to the different combination of goods and services that can be produced efficiently with the given resources by a country. Any points inside the PPF represent inefficient usage of the resources, and any points outside the PPF represent that it is not attainable with the available resources.

Sub part (f):

To determine

Production possibility frontier.

Explanation of Solution

The PPF of trade alliance of existing three countries and many countries who join the trade alliance is shown below.

Figure 4 shows the PPF for trade alliance between infinity numbers of countries.

In Figure 4, the vertical axis measures the volume of production of computers and the horizontal axis measures the volume of production of shirts. The first curve represents that PPF is the trade alliance between Mexico and United States. The second curve represents that PPF is the trade alliance between Mexico, United States with Haiti. The third curve represents the PPF of trade alliance between infinity numbers of countries.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Production possibilities frontier (PPF): PPF refers to the different combination of goods and services that can be produced efficiently with the given resources by a country. Any points inside the PPF represent inefficient usage of the resources, and any points outside the PPF represent that it is not attainable with the available resources.