The Only Two Countries in the World, Alpha and Omega

question 94

Essay

The only two countries in the world, Alpha and Omega, face the following production possibilities frontiers.
Figure 3-7
a. Assume that each country decides to use half of its resources in the production of each good. Show these points on the graphs for each country as point A.
b. If these countries choose not to trade, what would be the total world production of popcorn and peanuts?
c. Now suppose that each country decides to specialize in the good in which each has a comparative advantage. By specializing, what is the total world production of each product now?
d. If each country decides to trade 100 units of popcorn for 100 units of peanuts, show on the graphs the gain each country would receive from trade. Label these points B.

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Definitions:

Depreciation Method

A systematic approach used to allocate the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life.

Double Declining-Balance

An accelerated method of depreciation which doubles the normal depreciation rate, reducing the value of an asset more quickly in its early years.

Straight-Line Method

A technique for calculating an asset's depreciation by uniformly distributing its cost throughout its anticipated lifespan.

Residual Value

Residual value is the estimated value of an asset at the end of its useful life.