Tuesday, May 16, 2017

May 10, 2017

Comparative and Absolute Advantage

Specialization 

  • Individuals and countries can be made better off if they will produce in what they have a comparative advantage and then trade with others for whatever else they want/need.

Absolute Advantage

  • The producer that can produce the most output OR requires the least amount of inputs (resources).

    Comparative Advantage 

    • The producer with the lowest opportunity cost.

      *Countries should trade if they have a relatively low opportunity cost.


      Input vs Output


      • Output Problem: Presents the data as products produced given a set of resources. 
      • Ex: Number of pens produced
      • Input Problem: Presents the data as amount of resources needed to produce a fixed amount of output. 
      • Ex: Number of labor hours to produce 1 bushel

      *When identifying absolute advantage, input problems change the scenario from who can produce the most to two can produce a given product with the least amount of resources. 

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