Basic Economic Concepts
If a perfectly competitive firm is operating at a point inside its production possibility curve due to underutilized resources, which of the following outcomes is the firm most likely to pursue in the short run?
Decrease output to minimize costs and avoid moving toward the PPC.
Shift resources towards less efficient production to further deviate from the PPC.
Maintain current levels of underutilization as it reflects profit maximization.
Increase resource utilization to move toward an optimal point on the PPC.
What type of market has few large producers who may collude to set prices or outputs?
Oligopoly
Perfect competition
Monopolistic competition
Monopoly
What does a movement from a point inside to a point on the Production Possibilities Curve (PPC) suggest about an economy's production?
It has shifted resources toward less efficient uses.
It suggests nothing about efficiency or resource use.
It has increased efficiency in resource use.
It has decreased overall production capacity.
Which outcome would result in a PPC shifting outward?
An increase in the quantity of resources
A trade deficit with other countries
A reduction in resource prices
A decrease in consumer spending
Considering a perfectly competitive market and assuming all firms are efficient and operate on their respective PPCs, what would be an expected outcome if there is sudden universal adoption of a new production technology?
Market demand would decrease due to higher product complexity from new technology use.
All firms' PPCs would shift outward, increasing overall market supply.
Individual firm's costs would increase significantly causing industry-wide contractions.
Firms' PPCs would not change because they are already producing efficiently.
Which factors can cause a shift in the production possibilities curve?
Change in the quantity or quality of resources, change in technology, and trade.
Change in demand and supply, change in market structure, and change in competition.
Change in interest rates, change in inflation, and change in exchange rates.
Change in consumer preferences, change in government policies, and change in income distribution.
What term describes a situation where an increase in income leads to a less than proportional increase in the demand for normal goods?
Income elasticity of demand equals zero (perfectly inelastic).
Income elasticity of demand is greater than one (elastic).
Income elasticity of demand equals one (unitary).
Income elasticity of demand is less than one (inelastic).

How are we doing?
Give us your feedback and let us know how we can improve
What is the opportunity cost of a decision?
The value of the next best alternative that must be given up.
The total cost of all alternatives considered.
The value of the chosen alternative.
The total value of all alternatives considered.
How does a binding minimum wage affect employment levels when it is set above the equilibrium wage rate for unskilled labor?
It causes unemployment among unskilled workers to rise.
It has no effect on employment levels for unskilled workers.
It causes unemployment among skilled workers to rise.
It increases employment levels for skilled workers only.
If an economy is operating on its PPC, which of the following would most likely result from an increase in the amount of resources available?
An inward shift of the PPC.
No change in the PPC but movement along it.
A pivot of the PPC around one axis.
A shift outward of the PPC.