Macro Economics Midterm Flashcards
What are some examples of the economic way of thinking?
- Can you prove there is no person worth a trillion dollars?
- Why would you purchase more Coca-Cola when the price increases?
- How can you explain the relationship between the Super Bowl winner and changes in the stock market?
What are the 3 building blocks in the economic
way of thinking?
- scarcity & choice
- model building
- pitfalls of economic reasoning
What is the economic problem?
• Providing for people’s wants and needs in a world of scarcity.
What is meant by scarcity?
• The condition in which wants are forever greater than the available supply of time, goods, and resources.
What does scarcity force us to do?
• It forces us to make choices.
What are the three categories of resources?
- Land
- Labor
- Capital
What is a land resource?
• Any natural resource provided by nature.
What are resources?
• The basic categories of inputs used to produce goods and services.
What is capital?
The physical plants, machinery, and equipment used to produce other goods. They do not directly satisfy human wants.
What is labor?
• The mental and physical capacity of workers to produce goods and services.
What is financial capital?
• The money used to purchase capital. Financial capital by itself is not productive, it is a paper claim on capital.
What is entrepreneurship?
• Creative labor of individuals that enables them to seek profits by combining resources. Entrepreneurship organizes resources to produce goods and services. Land, Labor, and Capital.
What is economics?
• The study of how society chooses to allocate its scarce resources in order to satisfy unlimited wants and needs.
What is macroeconomics?
• The branch of economics that studies decision-making for the economy as a whole.
What is the purpose of an economic model?
• To forecast or predict the results of various changes in variables.
What is the scientific method?
- Problem identification
- Model development
- Testing a theory
Define the scientific method of an economic model.
- Identify the problem.
- Develop a model based on simplified assumptions.
- Test the model and formulate a conclusion.
What is an economic model?
• A simplified description of reality used to understand and predict the relationships between variables.
What conclusion can we make from a scientific, economic model?
• If the evidence supports the model, the conclusion is to accept the model. If not, the model is rejected.
What assumption (rule) is always made when testing a model?
ceteris paribus - Latin phrase that translates approximately to “holding other things constant” and is usually rendered in English as “all other things being equal”. In economics and finance, the term is used as a shorthand for indicating the effect of one economic variable on another, holding constant all other variables that may affect the second variable.
What is an example of ceteris paribus?
• If the price of new Ford cars decrease, and everything else stays the same, consumers will buy more, but if other variables change, we cannot make a prediction.
What are the two common pitfalls in understanding how the economy works?
- failing to understand the ceteris paribus assumption.
2. confusing association with causation.
What is the difference between association and causation?
• We cannot always assume that when one event follows another, the first caused the second.
What conclusion can we make about the pitfalls in understanding how the economy works?
A theory cannot be tested legitimately unless its ceteris paribus assumption is satisfied.
Why do economists forecasts differ?
• Because using the same methodology, economists can agree that event A causes event B, but disagree over the assumption that event A will occur.
Why do some economists disagree?
• The answer lies in understanding the difference between positive and normative economics.
What is positive economics?
• An analysis limited to statements that are verifiable.
What is normative economics?
• An analysis based on value judgement.
economic growth
The ability of an economy to produce greater levels of output, represented by an outward shift of its production possibilities curve.
investment
The accumulation of capital, such as factories, machines, and inventories, that is used to produce goods and services.
law of increasing opportunity costs
The principle that the opportunity cost increases as production of one output expands.
marginal analysis
An examination of the effects of additions to or subtractions from a current situation.
opportunity cost
The best alternative sacrificed for a chosen alternative.
production possibilities curve
A curve that shows the maximum combinations of two outputs an economy can produce in a given period of time with its available resources and technology.
What are the three fundamental economic questions?***
- What to produce?
- How to produce?
- For whom to produce?
What are two key concepts in this chapter?
- Opportunity costs
* Marginal analysis
What is opportunity cost?
•The best alternative sacrificed for a chosen alternative.
What opportunity cost am I experiencing now?
•The most money that you could be making if you were somewhere else instead of studying these slides.
Can opportunity cost be something other than money?
•Yes, that most desired activity that you are presently giving up is considered an opportunity cost.
What is marginal analysis?
•An examination of the effects of additions to or subtractions from a current situation.
What is an example of marginal analysis?
•When your benefit of studying these slides exceeds the opportunity cost, you will spend time studying these slides.
What is a production possibilities curve?***
•A curve that shows the maximum combinations of two outputs that an economy can produce, given its available resources and technology.
What is technology?
•The body of knowledge and skills applied to how goods are produced.
What assumptions underlie the production possibilities model?
- Fixed resources
- Fully employed resources
- Technology unchanged
What is the conclusion of the production possibilities curve?***
•Scarcity limits an economy to points on or below its production possibilities curve.
What are efficient points?
•Because all the points along the curve are maximum output levels with given resources and technology, they are called efficient points.
What happens when we move between two efficient points? (Demand and Supply)
•A movement between any two efficient points on the curve means that more of one product is produced only by producing less of the other.
What is the law of increasing opportunity costs?***
•The principle that the opportunity cost increases as production of one output expands.
What is economic growth?
•The ability of an economy to produce greater levels of output, an outward shift of its production possibilities curve.
What makes possible economic growth?
- Research and development of new technologies
* Increase production in excess of worn out capital.
What happens when a country does not invest in new technology?
•Everything else being equal, the country will not grow.
What is investment?***
•The accumulation of capital, such as factories, machines, and inventories, that is used to produce goods and services.
What is the opportunity cost of investment?***
•The consumer goods that could have been purchased with the money spent for plants and other capital.
What does an increase in investments make possible in the future?
•Economic growth and more goods and services.
What conclusion can we make about investments?
•A nation can accelerate growth by increasing production of capital goods in excess of the capital being worn out.
The opportunity cost of an action is:
A) the value of the best opportunity that must be sacrificed in order to take the action.
B) the total time spent by all parties in carrying out the action.
C) the cost of all alternative actions that could have been taken, added together.
D) the monetary payment the action required.
A
A good or service that is forgone by choosing one alternative over another is called a(n): A) accounting cost. B) explicit cost. C) opportunity cost. D) historical cost.
C
When the opportunity cost of producing carrots increases as more carrots are produced, then:
A) the production possibilities curve becomes positively sloped.
B) resources are equally suited to the production of carrots and to other goods.
C) the law of increasing costs is present.
D) no more carrots will be produced. production possibilities curve is a straight line.
E) the production possibilities curve is a straight line.
C
The opportunity cost of watching television is:
A) all of the alternative programs that appear on other stations.
B) the alternative use of the time foregone by watching the program.
C) zero if it benefits you.
D) zero because there is no money expenditure involved.
B
Which of the following does not illustrate opportunity cost?
A) If I study, I must give up going to the football game.
B) If I buy a computer, I must do without a 35” television.
C More consumer spending now means more spending in the future.
D) If I spend more on clothes, I must spend less on food.
C
In economics, the term marginal refers to:
A) holding everything else constant in the analysis.
B) the satisfaction a consumer receives from a good.
C) the change or difference from a current situation.
D) man-made resources as opposed to natural resources.
C
Any point on the production possibilities curve illustrates:
A) a non-feasible production combination.
B) minimum production combinations.
C) economic growth.
D) maximum production combinations.
D
The production possibilities curve demonstrates the basic economic principle that:
A) market-based economies are more efficient.
B) to produce more of any one thing, assuming full employment, the economy must produce less of something else.
C) to produce more consumption goods this year requires the production of more capital goods this year.
D) supply will determine demand in the economy.
E) the production of more capital goods this year will cause the economy to produce less consumption goods next year.
B
Which of the following is true about the production possibilities curve when a technological progress occurs? The curve:
A) becomes steeper.
B) shifts inwards to the left.
C) does not change.
D) shifts outward to the right.
E) becomes flatter at one end and steeper at the other end.
C
technology
The body of knowledge applied to how goods are produced.
change in demand
An increase or a decrease in the quantity demanded at each possible price. An increase in demand is a rightward shift in the entire demand curve. A decrease in demand is a leftward shift in the entire demand curve.
change in quantity demanded
A movement between points along a stationary demand curve, ceteris paribus.
change in quantity supplied
A movement between points along a stationary supply curve, ceteris paribus.
change in supply
An increase or a decrease in the quantity supplied at each possible price. An increase in supply is a rightward shift in the entire supply curve. A decrease in supply is a leftward shift in the entire supply curve.
complementary good
A good that is jointly consumed with another good. As a result, there is an inverse relationship between a price change for one good and the demand for its “go together” good.
consumer surplus
The value of the difference between the price consumers are willing to pay for a product on the demand curve and the price actually paid for it.
equilibrium***
A market condition that occurs at any price and quantity where the quantity demanded and the quantity supplied are equal.
inferior good***
Any good for which there is an inverse relationship between changes in income and its demand curve.
law of demand***
The principle that there is an inverse relationship between the price of a good and the quantity buyers are willing to purchase in a defined time period, ceteris paribus.
law of supply***
The principle that there is a direct relationship between the price of a good and the quantity sellers are willing to offer for sale in a defined time period, ceteris paribus.
deadweight loss
The net loss of consumer and producer surplus for underproduction or overproduction of a product.
demand
A curve or schedule showing the various quantities of a product consumers are willing to purchase at possible prices during a specified period of time, ceteris paribus.
market
Any arrangement in which buyers and sellers interact to determine the price and quantity of goods and services exchanged.
producer surplus***
The value of the difference between the actual selling price of a product and the price producers are willing to sell it for on the supply curve.
normal good
Any good for which there is a direct relationship between changes in income and its demand curve.
price system
A mechanism that uses the forces of supply and demand to create an equilibrium through rising and falling prices.
shortage
A market condition existing at any price where the quantity supplied is less than the quantity demanded.
substitute good
A good that competes with another good for consumer purchases. As a result, there is a direct relationship between a price change for one good and the demand for its “competitor” good.
supply
A curve or schedule showing the various quantities of a product sellers are willing to produce and offer for sale at possible prices during a specified period of time, ceteris paribus.
What is demand?***
•Demand represents the choice making behavior of buyers
What does “ceteris paribus” mean?***
•All else remains the same
What is the law of demand?***
•There is an inverse relationship between the price of a good and the quantity buyers are willing to purchase in a defined time period, ceteris paribus
surplus
A market condition existing at any price where the quantity supplied is greater than the quantity demanded.
What is a demand curve?***
•Depicts the relationship between price and quantity demanded
Why do demand curves have a negative slope?***
•At a higher price buyers will buy fewer units, and at a lower price they will buy more units
When price changes, what happens with the curve and quantity demanded?
•The curve does not shift - there is a change in the quantity demanded.
Change in price causes???
Change in Quantity Demanded.
If a price decreases describe how it effects the S & D graph.***
Downward movement along the demand curve.Increase in quantity demanded.
If a price increases describe how it effects the S & D graph.***
Upward movement along the demand curveDecrease in quantity demanded.
When something changes other than price, what happens?***
•The whole curve shifts,there is a change in demand.
Change in nonprice determinant causes a change in demand or change in quantity demanded?
Change in demand.
If a there is a change in a non price determinant describe how it effects the S & D graph.***
Leftward or rightward shift in the demand curveDecrease or increase in demand
What can cause a demand curve to shift? A change in:
Number of buyers in the market
•Tastes and preferences
•Income•Expectations•Prices of related goods.
What is the conclusion with price and demand?
•Changes in nonprice determinants can produce only a shift in a demand curve and not a movement along the demand curve.
What is a normal good?
•Any good for which there is a direct relationship between changes in income and its demand curve.
What is an inferior good?
•Any good for which there is an inverse relationship between changes in income and its demand curve.
What are substitute goods?
•Goods that compete with one another for consumer purchases.
What happens when the price increases for a good that has a substitute?
•The demand curve for the substitute good increases.
What is a demand schedule?
•Shows the quantities of a good or service that people are willing and able to buy at different prices
What are complementary goods?
•Goods that are jointly consumed with another good.
What happens when the price increases for a good that has a complement?
•The demand curve for the substitute good decreases.
What happens when the price decreases for a good that has a complement?
•The demand curve for the substitute good increases.
What does an inverse relationship between price & quantity mean?
•It means that the two move in opposite directions.
What is supply?
•Supply represents the choice making behavior of sellers.
What is the law of supply?
•There is a direct relationship between the price of a good and the quantity sellers are willing to offer for sale in a defined time period, ceteris paribus.
Why do supply curves have a positive slope?
•Only at a higher price will it be profitable for sellers to incur the higher opportunity cost associated with supplying a larger quantity.
When price changes, what happens with S &D and the curve?
•The curve does not shift - there is a change in the quantity Supplied and Demanded.
What is market supply?
•The horizontal summation of all the quantities supplied at various prices that might prevail in the market.
Change inPrice effects?
Change in Quantity Supplied.
When something changes other than price, what happens?
•The whole curve shifts - there is a change in supply.
Change in nonprice determinant causes???
Change in supply.
What can cause a supply curve to shift? A change in:
- Number of sellers in the market
- Technology•Resource prices
- Taxes and subsidies
- Expectations of producers
- Prices of other goods the firm could produce
What is market demand?
•The summation of the individual demand schedules in a market
What happens when the price decreases for a good that has a substitute?
•The demand curve for the substitute good decreases
In economics, the demand for a good refers to the amount of the good people:
A: would like to have if the good were free.
B: are willing to buy at various prices.
C: will buy at alternative income levels.
D: need to achieve a minimum standard of living.
B
Which of the following is true for the law of demand?
A: Sellers increase the quantity of a good available as the price of the good increases.
B: There is an inverse relationship between the price of a good and the quantity of the good demanded.
C: Prices increase as more units of a product are demanded.
D: An increase in price results from false needs.
B
Other things being equal, the effect of a decrease in the price of Coca-Cola would cause which of the following?
A: An upward movement along the demand curve for Coca-Cola.
B: A rightward shift in the demand curve for Coca-Cola.
C: A downward movement along the demand curve for Coca-Cola.
D: A leftward shift in the demand curve for Coca-Cola.
C
Other things being equal, the effects of a decrease in the price of orange juice, is represented by which of the following? A:
A rightward shift in the demand curve for orange juice.
B: An increase in the quantity demanded for orange juice.
C: A decrease in the quantity demanded orange juice.
D: A leftward shift in the demand curve for orange juice.
B
Which of the following would cause a shift in the demand curve for a good?
A: An increase in consumers’ incomes.
B: All of these.
C: A decrease in the number of consumers.
D: The expectation that the price of a good will increase in the future.
B
A rightward shift of a demand curve is called a(n):
A: decrease in quantity demanded.
B: increase in supply.
C: decrease in demand.
D: increase in demand.E: increase in quantity demanded.
D
Assuming that wine is a normal good, an increase in consumer income, other things being equal, will:
A: cause an upward movement along the demand curve for wine.
B: shift the demand curve for wine to the left.
C: cause a downward movement along the demand curve for wine.
D: shift the demand curve for wine to the right.
D
Assuming that bus travel is an inferior good, a decrease in consumer income, other things being equal, will cause:
A: a downward movement along the demand curve for bus travel.
B: an upward movement along the demand curve for air travel.
C: a rightward shift in the demand curve for bus travel.
D: no change in the demand curve for bus travel.
C
Which of the following goods are most likely to be substitutes? A: potato chips and chip dip B: ketchup and French fries C: bananas and apples D: bread and peanut butter
C
Assuming that hamburgers and hot dogs are substitutes, an increase in the price of hamburgers, other things being equal, results in a:
A: rightward shift in the demand curve for hamburgers.
B: leftward shift in the demand curve for hot dogs.
C: leftward shift in the demand curve for hamburgers.
D: rightward shift in the demand curve for hot dogs.
D
What does a direct relationship between price and quantity mean?
•The two move in the same direction
What is a market?
•Any arrangement in which buyers and sellers interact to determine the price and quantity of goods and services exchanged
What is the equilibrium price?
•The price towards which the economy tends
Where is the equilibrium price?
•At the price where the quantity demanded and the quantity supplied are equal
externality
A cost or benefit imposed on people other than the consumers and producers of a good or service.
market failure
A situation in which market equilibrium results in too few or too many resources used in the production of a good or service. This inefficiency may justify government intervention.
price ceiling
A legally established maximum price a seller can charge.
price floor
A legally established minimum price a seller can be paid.
public good
A good or service with two properties: (1) users collectively consume benefits, and (2) there is no way to bar people who do not pay (free riders) from consuming the good or service.
What causes a change in market equilibrium?
•A change in demand•A change in supply
What can cause a shift in a demand curve? A change in:
•Number of buyers in the market•Tastes and preferences•Income•Expectations of consumers•Prices of related goods
An increase in Demand causes:
Increase in Equilibrium Price then Increase in Quantity Supplied
A decrease in Demand causes:
Decrease in Equilibrium Price then Decrease in Quantity Supplied
What can cause a shift in a supply curve? A change in:
•Technology•Number of sellers in the market•Resource prices•Taxes and subsidies•Expectations of producers
An increase in Supply causes:
Decrease in Equilibrium Price then Increase in Quantity Demanded
A decrease in Supply causes:
Increase in Equilibrium Price then Decrease in Quantity Demanded
What are the two types of price controls?
- Price ceilings
2. Price floors
Can the laws of demand and supply be repealed?
•In some markets, the objective of politicians is to prevent prices from reaching the equilibrium price