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The following Table shows a farm\'s production possibilities. __________________

ID: 1223717 • Letter: T

Question

The following Table shows a farm's production possibilities.

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Soybean                                               Chicken
(bushels)                                               (pounds)
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400                     and                                      0
300                     and                                  300
100                     and                                  500
   0                     and                                   600
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If the farm uses its resources efficiently, what is the opportunity cost of an increase in soybean production from 0 bushels to 100 bushels? Explain briefly.

Explanation / Answer

OPPORTUNITY COST IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOREGONE IN FAVOR OF THE CHOSEN ALTERNATIVE. LIKE HAVING LIMITED MONEY IN HAND AND BALANCING THE PURCHASE OF ONE ITEM ONLY OR A MIX OF TWO PRODUCTS.

SO IN OUR CASE IF WE WANT TO INCREASE THE OUTPUT OF SOYBEAN FROM 0 TO 100, WE WILL HAVE TO REDUCE THE CHICKEN PRODUCTION BY 100 POUNDS.

HENCE THE OPPORTUNITY COST OF 100 BUSHELS SOYBEAN IS 100 POUNDS OF CHICKEN.