Basic Economic Concepts
What principle do individuals use when employing marginal thinking while shopping?
Determining if they can afford everything they want regardless of utility.
Considering if the utility gained from buying an additional item justifies its price.
Calculating how many items can be bought wholesale at discounted rates.
Weighing whether there are enough savings available for bulk purchases.
Given recent technological advancements reducing costs in producing solar energy, what outcome is likely to occur for traditional electric utilities in a region with high solar adoption?
Total collapse of utility companies as all consumers switch to solar power
Reduced profits due to increased competition from alternative energy sources
Mandatory government bailouts to ensure stability of essential utility services in the face of disruption
Increased investment in fossil fuels to counteract the shift towards sustainable energy options
If facing volatile raw material costs yet operating under relatively stable consumer demand conditions, which hedging technique ensures smooth production levels without passing additional costs onto customers?
Adopt spot purchasing for materials hoping short-term fluctuations will average out over time.
Shift towards just-in-time inventory systems thereby minimizing holding costs despite variability.
Utilize long-term fixed-price contracts with suppliers whenever possible.
Incorporate commodity futures trading strategies extensively despite limited experience therein.
In a perfectly competitive market, how would an increase in consumer demand for a product likely affect producer surplus in the short run?
It would increase because producers can charge a higher price due to increased demand.
It would decrease because producers will have to lower prices to sell the additional output.
It remains unchanged as the number of producers adjusts instantly to the change in demand.
It decreases as increased demand leads to more competition among producers, driving down prices.
How does a patent granted to a pharmaceutical company influence consumer surplus in that market?
Consumer surplus increases as patents encourage innovation leading to better quality drugs being available.
Consumer surplus increases because patents signal high-quality standards which increase consumers’ willingness-to-pay.
Consumer surplus typically decreases because patents allow companies to set higher prices without fear of immediate competition.
There is no impact on consumer surplus as long as other non-patented substitutes are available in the market.
What is one of the main advantages of a command economy?
Income equality and wealth distribution.
Promotion of free market principles.
Flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances.
Ability to achieve rapid mobilization and industrialization.
For which type of goods would firms expect to see revenues decline when they attempt to reduce prices as part of a promotional sale?
Goods with perfectly elastic demand curves.
Goods with relatively inelastic demand curves.
Goods with unit-elastic demand curves.
Goods with relatively elastic demand curves.

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What does marginal thinking involve in economic decision-making?
Considering the additional cost or benefit of using one more unit of a resource.
Assessing the total cost or benefit of all units of a resource.
Evaluating only the fixed costs associated with producing goods and services.
Calculating the average cost or benefit per unit of a resource.
In a traditional economic system, the methods of production are often?
Based on social and familial relationships.
Guided by the laws of supply and demand in a competitive market.
Relatively simple and rely on hand tools and basic technology.
Determined by the government or central authority.
Which economic system allows the government or central authority to have complete control over the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services?
Market economies.
Traditional economies.
Command economies.
Mixed economies.