If an Insecticide Like DDT Were Found That Killed Mosquitoes

question 20

Multiple Choice

If an insecticide like DDT were found that killed mosquitoes but was otherwise perfectly safe, would the problem of malaria infection be solved for good?

• A) There's no way to know for sure, but we could try it.
• B) Yes. The problem would be solved.
• C) Yes, but a safe insecticide is probably impossible to produce.
• D) No. Malaria comes from organisms other than mosquitoes.
• E) No. There would be some resistant mosquitoes, and those would live to create an increasingly resistant population until the insecticide no longer worked on them.

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Definitions:

Revealed Preference

A theory that assumes individuals' preferences can be determined by their purchasing habits.

Weak Axiom

A principle in consumer choice theory stating that if a consumer prefers bundle A over bundle B when both are available at the same prices, then the consumer will not purchase more of bundle B if its price rises.

Revealed Preference

An economic theory stating that the preferences of consumers can be understood by their purchasing habits.

Prices

The monetary value assigned to goods and services in a market, dictating the exchange rate at which these can be traded.