Production Possibilities Curve

Production Possibilities Curve A graph that illustrates the possible output combinations for an economy It illustrates the tradeoffs that society faces in using its scarce resources A choice is necessary because producing more of one item means making do with less of the other Production Possibilities Curve

The Production Possibilities Model The production possibilities model is based on three assumptions: an economy makes only two products resources and technology are fixed all resources are employed to their fullest capacity The Production Possibilities Model Copyright © 2005 by McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

The Production Possibilities Curve The production possibilities curve shows a range of possible output combinations for an economy. It highlights the scarcity of resources. It has a concave shape, which reflects the law of increasing opportunity costs. Copyright © 2005 by McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

The Production Possibilities Curve Production Possibilities Schedule Hamburgers Computers point on graph a 1000 b unattainable f 900 Hamburgers 600 c 1000 0 a 900 1 b 600 2 c 0 3 d e inefficient d 0 1 2 3 Computers Copyright © 2005 by McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

Production Efficiency Achieved when it is not possible to produce more of one good without producing less of the other good Occurs only at points on the production possibility curve Copyright © 2005 by McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

The Law of Increasing Opportunity Cost Production Possibilities Curve Production Possibilities Schedule Hamburgers Opportunity Computers point Cost of on graph Computers a As the quantity of computers rises, so does their opportunity cost. 1000 b 900 1000 0 a Hamburgers 600 c 100 900 1 b 300 600 2 c 600 0 3 d d 0 1 2 3 Computers Copyright © 2005 by McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

Law of Increasing Opportunity Cost The concept that as more of one item is produced by an economy, the opportunity cost of additional units of that product rises

Formula to calculate opportunity cost Opportunity Cost = Give up Gain

Further Understanding of the Opportunity Cost Calculation

Further Understanding of the Opportunity Cost Calculation Opportunity Cost = Give up Gain Opportunity cost of one computer = 4-7 televisions = - 3 = -1.5 tv/cmpt 6-4 computers 2

Shifts in Production Possibilities Production Possibilities Curve With more computers, the curve shifts out in the next period. 1000 Hamburgers 0 3 Computers Copyright © 2005 by McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

To expand production possibilities curve – You need economic growth – but how?

Economic Resources Basic items that are used in all types of production to meet the needs of wants of individuals and society as a whole Natural Resource Capital Resource Human Resources Entrepreneurship

Specific strategies to increase economic resources Increase resources by discovery of new oil and gas deposits (Natural resources) Increase human resources through immigration and improving the skills of the existing workforce Increase an economy’s capital stock – devote more resources into producing more efficient machines and technology.

Consider the opposite- what might this graph suggest Consider the opposite- what might this graph suggest? Would it make sense? Hamburgers Computers Why?

Reason Resources are not perfectly adaptable to all products (The assumption also is that the two products are quite distinct) Reason

Law of Increasing Opportunity Cost Reason: Specialized resources will not be as productive after transfer Each machine/person is specialized in one area(Resources are specialized) Thus, resources used are not perfectly substitutable between both goods produced Law of Increasing Opportunity Cost

Law of Increasing Opportunity Cost Result: The result is smaller increase in computers as we transfer resources over Each computer costs more than the previous one in terms of hamburgers Law of Increasing Opportunity Cost

Law of Increasing Opportunity Cost A more detailed explanation: Human resources: At first, switching a few staff from one department to another isn’t difficult. However, as you switch more staff, they are taken away from what they are good at and receiving new training for the new job = more money = higher opportunity cost Capital resources: As production shifts more from one good to the next, even more equipment need to be replaced. Even more money is needed in this replacement process, adding to the opportunity cost Law of Increasing Opportunity Cost