Introduction to Economics - Chapter One
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Questions and Answers

What term describes the imbalance between our wants and the means to satisfy those wants?

  • Resource Allocation
  • Scarcity (correct)
  • Demand
  • Choice

A resource is considered free if its quantity available to society is less than the amount people desire at zero price.

False (B)

What is the reward for labor called?

wage

The payment for land as an economic resource is called ______.

<p>rent</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following economic resources with their rewards:

<p>Labor = Wages Land = Rent Capital = Interest Entrepreneurship = Profits</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two fundamental facts that lay the foundation for Economics?

<p>Society's material wants are unlimited; economic resources are limited. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The goal of consumers is to produce goods and services for profit.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'oikonomia' refer to in the context of economics?

<p>Management of household administration</p> Signup and view all the answers

Economics studies the allocation of scarce resources in the production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services to attain the maximum fulfillment of society's material _____

<p>wants</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following goals to their corresponding entities:

<p>Consumers = Maximize satisfaction Businesses = Produce goods and services for profit Government = Satisfy collective wants</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two major branches of economics?

<p>Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Economic resources include anything natural or man-made used in the production of goods and services.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does economics focus on regarding resource allocation?

<p>Doing the best with what we have</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reward for an entrepreneur?

<p>Profit (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Scarcity and shortage refer to the same concept in economics.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is opportunity cost?

<p>The value of the next best alternative that must be given up.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A good is considered ___ if the amount available to society is less than the amount people desire at zero price.

<p>scarce</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

<p>Scarcity = Universal problem that implies choice Shortage = Specific problem that is short term Opportunity Cost = Value of the next best alternative Production Possibility Frontier (PPF) = Graph showing combinations of output in an economy</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an assumption to draw the Production Possibility Frontier (PPF)?

<p>Variable resources (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All resources must be utilized for an economy to reach its Production Possibility Frontier.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does PPF stand for?

<p>Production Possibility Frontier</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum number of cars the economy can produce if all resources are allocated to the car industry?

<p>1,000 cars (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Producing at any point inside the production possibilities frontier is considered efficient.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the production possibilities frontier illustrate in terms of trade-offs?

<p>It shows that to produce more of one good, the economy must produce less of another good.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The opportunity cost of a commodity is the amount of the next best alternative that must be sacrificed to obtain one more unit of the ______.

<p>commodity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following output scenarios with their descriptions:

<p>1,000 cars = All resources in the car industry 3,000 computers = All resources in the computer industry 700 cars and 2,000 computers = Resources divided between both industries Point D = Not possible due to scarce resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

When society moves from point A to point C, how many cars are sacrificed to obtain additional computers?

<p>100 cars (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Points on the production possibilities frontier (PPF) represent unattainable production levels.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe what point D represents in relation to resource allocation.

<p>Point D is not possible because the economy does not have enough resources to support that output level.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the opportunity cost represent?

<p>The amount of good sacrificed divided by the amount of good gained (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the law of increasing opportunity cost, the opportunity cost decreases as more units of a good are produced.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two causes of economic growth?

<p>Capital accumulation and technological progress</p> Signup and view all the answers

A significant natural disaster such as a ______ can lead to the contraction of the production possibilities frontier.

<p>flood</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the production possibilities frontier when technological advances occur?

<p>It shifts outward (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following economic concepts with their definitions:

<p>Opportunity cost = The cost of the next best alternative foregone Contraction of PPF = A decrease in the economy's production capacity Economic growth = An increase in a nation's production possibilities Symmetrical change = A technological change affecting both sectors equally</p> Signup and view all the answers

Asymmetrical technological changes benefit only one sector of the economy.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one method that can determine the production technique or input to use.

<p>How to produce</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of households in the economy?

<p>To provide resources and purchase goods and services. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Firms have no role in buying economic resources.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name the two main types of markets in which economic agents interact.

<p>Resource/input markets and Products/output markets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the circular flow model, firms provide ______ in exchange for resources from households.

<p>wages, salaries, profits, and rent</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is included in the three sector circular flow model?

<p>Households, firms, and government. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The circular flow model only represents the flow of goods, not money.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do firms sell in the economy?

<p>Goods and services</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Economics

A science studying how societies allocate limited resources to fulfill unlimited wants.

Scarcity

Limited resources available to meet unlimited wants.

Unlimited wants

Human desires for goods and services are constantly expanding.

Microeconomics

The study of individual economic units (like households and firms).

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Macroeconomics

The study of the whole economy (like inflation and unemployment).

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Economic resources

The inputs used to produce goods and services (labor, land, capital, etc.).

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Allocation of resources

Deciding how limited resources are used to meet wants.

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Problem of choice

The need to select among competing uses of scarce resources because wants are endless.

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Labor

Physical and mental effort in producing/distributing goods.

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Land (Economic)

Natural resources, gifts of nature; not improved by humans.

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Capital (Economic)

Manufactured items used to produce other goods/services.

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Entrepreneurship

Organizing and managing factors of production to create goods and services, while taking the risk of potential losses.

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Scarce good

A good where the amount available is less than the desired amount at a zero price.

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Free good

A good where the amount available is greater than the desired amount at a zero price.

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Opportunity Cost

The value of the next best alternative given up to obtain something.

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Production Possibility Frontier (PPF)

A graph showing possible output combinations with limited resources.

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Assumptions of PPF

Efficiency, fixed resources, two products, fixed technology

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Choice

The implications of scarcity

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Economic Unit

A group that uses resources to fulfill its wants, like a household or firm.

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Household

The basic economic unit that provides resources and uses income to purchase goods and services.

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Firm

A production unit that uses resources to produce goods and services and sells them to households, other firms, and the government.

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Resource/Input Markets

Where firms buy economic resources (like labor, capital, and land) from households.

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Products/Output Markets

Where households buy goods and services from firms.

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Two Sector Circular Flow Model

A simplified model that shows the flow of economic activity between households and firms.

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Three Sector Circular Flow Model

A model that adds government to the flow of economic activity between households and firms.

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Factor Payments

The payments firms make to households for using their resources (wages, salaries, profits, rent).

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Efficient Production

Producing the maximum output possible with given resources, meaning no resources are wasted.

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Unattainable Production

Production levels beyond the PPF's limits, impossible to achieve with current resources.

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Inefficient Production

Production levels inside the PPF, where resources are not fully utilized and output could be higher.

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Opportunity Cost on the PPF

The amount of one good sacrificed to produce an additional unit of another good, illustrated by the slope of the PPF.

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Law of Increasing Opportunity Cost

As you produce more of one good, the opportunity cost of producing an additional unit increases.

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Scarcity and PPF

The PPF demonstrates scarcity by showing that producing more of one good requires reducing production of another, due to limited resources.

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How does the PPF help understand the concept of scarcity?

The PPF shows the limits of production due to limited resources, implying that choices must be made to allocate those resources efficiently.

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Economic Growth on PPF

An outward shift of the PPF, allowing for more production of both goods.

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Causes of Economic Growth

Factors that increase the PPF, such as capital accumulation (more machines, tools) and technological progress (new ideas, inventions).

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What does the shape of the PPF tell us?

The shape of the PPF reflects the opportunity cost of producing one good in terms of another. A curved PPF indicates increasing opportunity costs, meaning the more we produce of one good, the more of the other we must give up.

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Contraction of PPF

An inward shift of the PPF, reducing production possibilities due to factors like natural disasters.

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Technological Change on PPF

Technological advancements can shift the PPF, either symmetrically (affecting both goods equally) or asymmetrically (affecting one good more than the other).

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Three Basic Economic Questions

Every economy must address: 1. What to produce? 2. How to produce? 3. For whom to produce?

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Study Notes

Introduction to Economics

  • Economics originates from the ancient Greek word "oikonomia."
  • "Oikos" means house, and "nomos" means rule or custom.
  • "Oikonomia" thus signifies the management of a household.
  • Two fundamental economic facts are:
    • Society's material wants are unlimited.
    • Economic resources are limited (scarce) in supply.
  • Society's wants encompass consumer, business, and government desires for resources fulfilling their goals.
  • Consumers seek maximum satisfaction.
  • Businesses aim for profit through goods and service production.
  • Governments strive to meet societal needs.
  • Resources include natural and manufactured items used in goods and service production.
  • Economic resources are scarce.

Chapter One: Fundamentals of Economics

  • Economics studies the allocation of scarce resources in production, consumption, and distribution to maximize societal needs.
  • Economics aims to do the best with available resources.

Definition and Nature of Economics

  • Society's wants are numerous and constantly developing.
  • Limited resources cause an imbalance between societal wants and availability.
  • Scarcity necessitates choices and trade-offs.

The Scope of Economics

  • Economics is divided into two major branches:
    • Microeconomics
    • Macroeconomics
  • Microeconomics examines individual economic units (consumers, producers, businesses).
  • Microeconomics explores how individual commodity markets operate.
  • Macroeconomics examines the economy as a whole, considering interconnected economic units and aggregates.
  • Macroeconomics analyzes broad economic measures like national output (GDP).

Scarcity and Choice

  • Scarcity refers to the limited nature of economic resources.
  • Scarcity necessitates choice between competing wants.
  • Economists classify resources as:
    • Free: Sufficient resources exceed societal wants at zero price.
    • Economic: Limited resources in supply. Society desires more than is available at zero price.
  • Economic resources are categorized as:
    • Labor: Physical and mental human effort.
    • Land: Natural resources.
    • Capital: Man-made resources used to produce goods/services.
    • Entrepreneurship: Human talent in organizing production factors.

Production Possibility Frontier (PPF)

  • PPF is a graphical representation of possible output combinations.
  • PPF assumes:
    • Efficient resource use
    • Fixed resources
    • Two products
    • Fixed technology
  • Points on the PPF are attainable and efficient.
  • Points inside the PPF are attainable but not efficient.
  • Points outside the PPF are unattainable given current resources/technology.

Opportunity Cost

  • Opportunity cost represents the value of the next-best alternative.
  • Opportunity costs increase as more of a good is produced, due to resource allocation.
  • Moving along the PPF means producing more of one good/service results in less of another given fixed resources.

Economic Growth

  • Economic growth results in an outward shift of the PPF.
  • Economic growth arises from capital accumulation and technological advances.
  • Factors such as drought, floods, and earthquakes can cause a PPF contraction.

Basic Economic Questions and Alternative Economic Systems

  • The basic economic questions are:
    • What to produce? Types and quantities.
    • How to produce? Methods and resource allocation.
    • For whom to produce? Distribution of goods/services.
  • Economic systems try to answer these questions:
    • Market economy
    • Command economy
    • Mixed economy.

Market Economy

  • Characterized by private resource ownership and market coordination.
  • Participants act in self-interest, maximizing profit/satisfaction.
  • Markets facilitate resource allocation.

Command Economy

  • Central authority plans production.
  • Government controls resource allocation, output distribution.
  • Production decisions are based on government directives.

Mixed Economy

  • Combines elements of market and command systems.

Decision-Making Units and Circular Flow

  • The three primary decision-making units in a closed economy are:
    • Households: Supply resources (labor, capital, land, entrepreneurship) and demand goods/services.
    • Firms: Use resources to produce and sell goods/services.
    • Government: Collect taxes, provide public services.
  • Economic activity is represented by circular flow models (two-sector model, three-sector model).
  • The circular flow of economic activity depicts the exchange of goods, services and resources/payments among these actors.

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Introduction to Economics PDF

Description

This quiz covers the foundational concepts of economics as introduced in Chapter One. Explore the origins of the term 'economics' and understand the relationship between society's unlimited wants and the limited resources available. Test your knowledge on how economic principles apply to consumers, businesses, and governments.

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