Introduction to economics: Opportunity cost and the Production Flashcards
What is a ceteris paribus in economics?
Ceteris paribus is a Latin phrase that means “all other things being equal.” Experts use it to explain the theory behind laws of economics and nature. It means that something will occur as a result of something else most of the time, if nothing else changes.
What is a PPF?
The production possibility frontier (PPF) is a curve on a graph that illustrates the possible quantities that can be produced of two products if both depend upon the same finite resource for their manufacture. The PPF is also referred to as the production possibility curve.
What is opportunity cost and example?
The opportunity cost is time spent studying and that money to spend on something else. A farmer chooses to plant wheat; the opportunity cost is planting a different crop, or an alternate use of the resources (land and farm equipment). A commuter takes the train to work instead of driving.
What do you mean by marginal cost?
The marginal cost refers to the increase in production costs generated by the production of additional product units. It is also known as the marginal cost of production. Calculating the marginal cost allows companies to see how volume output influences cost and hence, ultimately, profits.
What does it mean when the opportunity cost increases?
The law of increasing opportunity cost is the concept that as you continue to increase production of one good, the opportunity cost of producing that next unit increases. This comes about as you reallocate resources to produce one good that was better suited to produce the original good.
What is inefficient use of resource?
the underemployment of any of the four economic resources (land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurial ability); inefficient combinations of production are represented using a PPC as points on the interior of the PPC.
What is economic growth?
an increase in an economy’s ability to produce goods and services over time; economic growth in the PPC model is illustrated by a shift out of the PPC.
What is contraction?
a decrease in output that occurs due to the under-utilization of resources; in a graphical model of the PPC, a contraction is represented by moving to a point that is further away from, and on the interior of, the PPC.
What is increasing opportunity cost?
when the opportunity cost of a good remains constant as output of the good increases, which is represented as a PPC curve that is a straight line; for example, if Colin always gives up producing 2 fidget spinners every time he produces a Pokemon card, he has constant opportunity costs.
