Suppose Over the Last Year That the Price of Iron

question 259

Multiple Choice

Suppose over the last year that the price of iron ore increased from $1,200 a ton to $1,300 a ton. Over the same time a measure of the overall price level increased from 168 to 187. The price of iron ore increased by

• A)less than inflation, and this means it became relatively less scarce.
• B)less than inflation, and this means it became scarcer.
• C)more than inflation, and this means it became scarcer.
• D)more than inflation, but this doesn't necessarily mean that it become scarcer.

---

Definitions:

Pareto Optimum

A distribution of resources in which it is not feasible to rearrange in a way that improves one person's situation without detrimentally affecting at least another individual's standing.

Utility Possibilities Frontier

A graph that shows the maximum amount of utility that can be achieved by different individuals or groups from a fixed set of resources.

Production Possibilities

A curve or frontier that illustrates the maximum feasible amounts of two commodities that can be produced with available resources and technology.

Competitive Equilibrium

A state in a market where supply equals demand, and no economic agent has the incentive to change their behavior, leading to an efficient allocation of resources.