1. Give an example in which one person has an absolute
advantage in doing something but another person has a comparative advantage.
2. Is absolute advantage or comparative advantage more
important or trade? Explain your reasoning using the example in your answer to
Question 3.
3. Will a nation tend to export or import goods for which
it has a comparative advantage?
a. Graph the production possibilities frontier of an American and Japanese worker
b. For the United States worker, what is the opportunity cost of a car?
Of Grain? For Japan worker, what is the opportunity cost of a car? Of grain?
d. Which worker has an absolute advantage in producing cars? In producing
grain?
e. Which worker has a comparative advantage in producing cars? In
producing grain?
f. Without trade, the workers produce half cars and half produce
grain. What quantities of cars and grain does each worker produce?
g. Starting from a position without trade, give an example in which trade
makes each worker better off.
a. “Two countries can achieve gains from trade even if one of the
countries has an absolute advantage in the production of all goods.”
b. “Certain very talented people have a comparative advantage in
everything they do”
c. “If a certain trade is good for one person, it can’t be a good trade
for the other one.
d. “If a certain trade is good for one person, it is always a good trade
for the other one.”
e. “If trade is good for a country, it must be good for everyone in the
country.”