Using a Phone Card to Make a Long Distance Call

question 164

Multiple Choice

Using a phone card to make a long distance call costs a flat fee of $0.81 plus $0.16 per minute starting with the first minute. Find the total cost of a phone call which lasts 27 minutes.

• A) $27.13
• B) $4.32
• C) $22.03
• D) $5.13

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Definitions:

Artificially Scarce Good

A product or service that is made scarce through artificial means such as monopoly control or government regulations, rather than limited by natural resources.

Externalities

Costs or benefits arising from an economic activity that affect third parties who did not choose to incur that cost or benefit.

Socially Optimal

A condition where resources are allocated in the most efficient way from the society's point of view, maximizing overall welfare.

Common Resource

A resource like air or water that is not owned by anyone, can be used by everyone, and is difficult to exclude others from using.