Questions from Microeconomics


Q: Suppose that a firm in which you have invested is losing money

Suppose that a firm in which you have invested is losing money. Would you rather own the firm’s stock or the firm’s bonds? Briefly explain.

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Q: Some coal is mined by private companies on land owned by the

Some coal is mined by private companies on land owned by the federal government. Two economists writing in an opinion column argue, “The federal government should also take into account the economic c...

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Q: Suppose that instead of being highly inelastic, the demand for oil

Suppose that instead of being highly inelastic, the demand for oil is highly elastic. a. Given the situation illustrated by the first graph in the Making the Connection on page 203, would the resultin...

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Q: What is the economic definition of utility? Is it possible to

What is the economic definition of utility? Is it possible to measure utility?

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Q: An article in the New York Times quoted an economist as arguing

An article in the New York Times quoted an economist as arguing that “global free trade and the European single market … encourage countries to specialize in sectors where they enjoy comparative advan...

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Q: Considering only the income effect, if the price of an inferior

Considering only the income effect, if the price of an inferior good decline, would a consumer want to buy a larger quantity or a smaller quantity of the good? Does your answer mean that the demand cu...

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Q: Briefly explain whether each of the following statements describes a change in

Briefly explain whether each of the following statements describes a change in supply or a change in quantity supplied. a. To take advantage of high prices for snow shovels during a snowy winter, Alex...

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Q: According to a news story about the International Energy Agency, the

According to a news story about the International Energy Agency, the agency forecast that “the current slide in [oil] prices won’t [reduce] global supply.” Would a decline in oil prices ever cause a r...

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Q: Sony suffered losses for a decade selling televisions before finally earning a

Sony suffered losses for a decade selling televisions before finally earning a profit in 2014. Given the strong consumer demand for plasma, LCD, and LED television sets, shouldn’t Sony have been able...

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Q: Briefly explain whether you agree with the following statement: “If

Briefly explain whether you agree with the following statement: “If at the current quantity, marginal benefit is greater than marginal cost, there will be a deadweight loss in the market. However, the...

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