Dishwashing (# of sink loads) Sweeping (# of trash loads) Betsy23 Bert11

Absolute AdvantageComparative Advantage  The ability to produce more units of a good or service than some other producer using the same quantity of resources.  The ability to produce a good or service at a lower opportunity cost than another producer.

 Comparative Advantage is the economic basis for specialization and trade. If individuals and countries specialize in producing the goods in which they have the comparative advantage and trade for the goods in which others have the comparative advantage, both parties will be better off.

 Opportunity cost- the value of the next-best alternative that must be given up. BetsyBert Opportunity cost of One load of trash (Betsy has c.a.) 2/3 of a load of dishes 1 load of dishes Opportunity cost of One load of dishes (Bert has c.a.) 1.5 loads of trash1 load of trash

 Although Betsy has the absolute advantage of both tasks, she has the comparative advantage only in sweeping trash.  When Betsy & Bert specialize where each has the comparative advantage and work together, both are better off.  True/False - A country benefits when it specializes in producing the goods for which it holds an absolute advantage.