The Economic Way of Thinking
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Transcript The Economic Way of Thinking
Analyzing Production Possibilities
KEY CONCEPTS
Production possibilities curve (PPC) is one model (graph)
PPC shows the maximum goods or services that can be produced
from limited resources
also called production possibilities frontier
PPC
PPC based on assumptions:
resources are fixed
all resources are fully employed
only two things can be produced
technology is fixed
Graphing the Possibilities
Production Possibilities Curve
PPC runs between extremes of
producing only one item or the other
Data is plotted on a graph; lines
joining points is PPC
shows maximum number of one item
relative to other item
PPC shows opportunity cost of each
choice
more of one product means less of the
other
What We Learn from PPCs
Efficiency — producing the maximum amount of goods
and services possible
Underutilization — producing fewer goods and
services than possible
Why is the PPC a Curve?
Law of increasing opportunity costs
as
production switches from one product to
another, more resources needed to increase
production of second product
Reasons for increasing cost of making more of one
product
need new resources, machines, factories
must retrain workers
Costs paid by making less and less of other product
Let’s Look at Some Examples
PPC Practice
Changing Production Possibilities
A country’s supply of resources changes over time
Example:
U.S. in 1800s grew, gained resources,
workers, new technology
new resources mean new production possibilities
beyond frontier
Increased production shown on PPC as shift of curve
outward
Increase in total output called economic growth
PPF—The Curve
What Does Guns And
Butter Curve Mean?
In a theoretical
economy with only two
goods, a choice must be
made between how much
of each good to produce.
As an economy produces
more guns (military
spending) it must reduce
its production of butter
(food), and vice versa.
Video Clip: Individual and Society PPCs
Text book-pg 20 Q#5-9
PPC Problems
Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Microeconomics examines specific, individual elements in an
economy
prices, costs, profits, competition, consumer and producer
behavior
Some Topics of Interest: business organization, labor markets,
environmental issues
Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics studies sectors — combination of all
individual units
Includes consumer, business, public or government sectors
Macroeconomics studies national or global topics:
monetary system, business cycle, tax policies, international trade
Examples of Macro and Micro
Which is it?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
National Unemployment Figures lower.
World Trade Organization Meets
Shipbuilder Wins Navy Contract
Cab Drivers on Strike!
Gasoline Prices Jump 25 Cents