fall ‘ 97principles of microeconomics this is a powerpoint presentation on the concept of of...

Fall ‘ 97 Principles of Microeconomics

This is a PowerPoint presentation on the concept of of production possibilities or the transformation function and alternative economic choices.

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Fall ‘ 97 Principles of Microeconomics 2

Production and Choices

· Production is the process of altering inputs so they will satisfy more wants.· Change in physical characteristics to increase inputs

ability to satisfy wants {Utility}· Change in location· Change in time available for consumption (storage)· Change in ownership

· Consider how Production might be measured.


Factors of Production or inputs

· Typical taxonomy of inputs· land [considered a “gift of nature”]· labour [human effort in production]· capital [inputs created by humans· entrepreneurial ability [innovation]

· Alternative taxonomy· energy, matter, time & technology

[knowledge]


Land

· Natural resources which are considered as a “gift of Nature.”

· Some natural resources are:· Flow [sunlight, use of solar does not

diminish the solar power available]· Renewables [fish, trees, rivers, resources

that can be renewed]· Stock or exhaustible [fossil fuels]

· Return to land is “rent”


Labour

· Labour is any human effort used to produce goods and services· manual· mental

· Return to labour includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, etc.

· Education and training is often referred to as “human capital”


Capital {Kapital}

· Kapital is the buildings, equipment, tools, etc. that humans create to use in the further production of goods and services

· The concept of Kapital was added during the early years of the industrial revolution

· the return to kapital is interest· Usury and ethical judgment


Entrepreneurial Ability

· The last factor of production added to out perspective [added by Richard Cantillon (1680-1734) and popularized by J.B. Say (1776-1832)]

· Used to explain the distribution of a “surplus” in production

· Entrepreneurial activity is the creation or innovation process in an economy. Not to be confused with business.

· the return to the entrepreneur is “profit”


Historical basis of factors of production

· During feudal era, the two inputs were regarded as land and labour. This was used to describe the allocation of the output among social classifications.

· With the industrial revolution, a new social class was added, the capitalists. Capital was the justification for the share of output they received.

· In the midst of the industrial revolution when productivity was high, there was often a surplus which was taken by the capitalist. Say’s addition of entrepreneurial ability justified this act.


Production Possibilities

· The production alternatives open are determined by the availability and quality of the inputs, technology [our knowledge about how to

use the physical world] and social institutions[such as

traditions, customs, mores, laws, etc.]· At any given point in time inputs are finite

(limited), the state of knowledge and the social institutions are fixed.

· All of these can change over time


Example PPF or Transformation Function

· Consider a small economy with a fixed amount of labour [L], kapital [K] and a given state of technology. For simplicity we shall assume all these are homogeneous

· There are two fields that can be used to grow two crops [these are the only outputs] Wheat [X] and Peanuts [Y]

· These two fields are of different soil types, so out put of Wheat [X] and Peanuts [Y] is different on each field

· Field A is more productive in Wheat [X], Field B in [Y]


10 20 30 40 50 60

10

20

30

40

50

60[Y]

[X]

Field A is more productive in growing Wheat [X] than peanuts [Y]

Production Alternatives - Field A

Wheat [X] Peanuts [Y]

Alternative 1 0 30

Alternative 2 30 15

Alternative 3 60 0

These alternatives can be plotted on the graph,

..

.

These alternativescan be illustrated by a line

If no Wheat is produceda maximum of 30 units ofpeanuts can be produced.If no peanuts are produced, 60 unit of wheat can be grown. Thisis because the land is better suited to growing Wheat [X] than [Y].

If the production relationship is linear, we can interpolate an infinitenumber of alternatives that lie along the line TM.

T

M

The equation that represents the production alternatives on FieldA is: Y = 30 - .5X This implies that 1 unit of X can be acquired bysacrificing .5 units of Y


10 20 30 40 50 60

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20

30

40

50

60

[Y]

[X]

70

80Field B is more productive in growing Y than X

Production Alternatives - Field B

Wheat [X] Peanuts [Y]

Alternative 1b 0 80

Alternative 2b 15 40

Alternative 3b 30 0

These alternatives areplotted

The estimated relationship of the trade off

between X and Y is: Y = 80 - 2.67X This relationship is represented by the line RS

R

S

This set of production alternatives implies that 1 unit of X requires a sacrifice of 2.67 units of Y. Remember that on Field A an additionalunit of X cost .5Y.If you were producing Y on both fields and wanted some X, which fieldwould you first grow X on?


Did you choose Field A? Why?

If were producing all Y on both fields, you could produce 110 units ofpeanuts with no wheat. If you wanted a unit of Wheat [X] you wouldhave to sacrifice [opportunity cost] 2.67 units of Y if you chose Field B. On Field A you would only sacrifice .5 units of Y. Therefore, X [wheat] would cost less if it were grown on Field A.

You can produce up to 60 units of X at a cost of .5 Y per unit of X.To produce more than 60X, you will be required to sacrifice 2.67Y.

If we combine the two fields to evaluate the alternativeswe develop a “production possibilities frontier” [PPF] ora Transformation function.

The PPF is a graphical representation [model] of the production alternatives available to the community or firm with the two fields, a given level of technology and other inputs [labour, kapital, entrepreneurial ability].

Fall ‘ 97 Principles of Microeconomics 1410 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

10

20

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70

80

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100

[Y]

[X]

11010 20 30 40 50 60

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20

30

40

50

60[Y]

[X]

10 20 30 40 50 60

10

20

30

40

50

60[Y]

[X]

70

80Production alternativeson Field A

Field AField B

T

M

Production alternativeson Field B

R

S

When both fields are used to produce Y, 110 units of output can be achieved.30 on Field A & 80 on Field B

[T+R]

On Field A, only .5Y is sacrificed for eachunit of X [up to 60units]

If more than 60 X is desiredyou must sacrifice 2.67Y per unit of X while producing on Field B

S + M


10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

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20

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100

[Y]

[X]

110 The production possibilities on the two fields are demonstrated as a PPF

Productionon Field A

Production on Field B

As the number of fields increases, or we break the two fields up into smaller homogeneous fields, the PPF will “smooth” out and can be represented by a curve or nonlinear function

This transformation function or PPF demonstrates all productionalternatives available given the inputs [L, K, E, Land and technology]

The fact that it is “bowed out” (convex from above) demonstrates the problem that as we increase the output of X (or Y) we must sacrifice larger and larger

amounts of Y (or X). This is the “law” of “increasing relative costs.”


10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

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20

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[Y]

[X]

110Because of some basic relationships, and the

fact that optimizers will choose alternativesthat have the lowest opportunity cost [i.e. the

lowest cost or sacrifice of other goods]PPF is “bowed out” (concave to origin).

If an individual, firm or societymade choices that required the greatest sacrifice, the PPF would be “bowed in” (convex to origin).

Definitely nota good idea! Thisrequires that the initialunits of X be acquired attheir highest possible sacrifice of Y [cost].

If all inputs are “efficiently” employed the output combination will fall on the PPF. Points R, S, T, V, W & Hare all equally “efficient.” Any point on the PPF is “efficient.”

R

S

T

V

W

H

“Efficiency” does not serve as a useful criteria to choose among alternatives unless it is carefully specified as to what you mean!


“Efficiency”

· There are several types of “efficiency”· Technical efficiency is borrowed from

physics, it is :· Allocative efficiency is :

OutputInput

Value of output

Value of input

Pareto Efficiency .


Technical Efficiency

· Technical efficiency is defined as a ratio of output to input

· concept is “borrowed” from physics· MPG, kPH as measures of efficiency

· MPG or miles per gallon: miles is output, gallons of gas is the input

· kPH or kilometers per hour: kilometers traveled is the output, time is an input

· Which is the “better” measure of “efficiency?”


Technical Efficiency [cont. . .]

· To “maximize” efficiency

· maximize the output while input is constant

· minimize the input while output is constant· In a PPF, the attempt is to maximize the

output [of two goods] while technology and the inputs are constant

outputinput


wheat

corn

Given a PPF which is determined by the technologyand inputs available to produce the goods. Any output combination on the blue PPF is feasible or possible.

Any output alternative that falls in this yellow area is possible giventhe inputs and technology

Any output alternative that lies outside the PPF is not possible. There are not enough resources or known technology that will permitthe production of those quantities of outputs.An example of an impossible output combinationis point J.

It is not possible to produce 90X and 170Y.J.170

90

Any output combination that lies “inside” the PPF is not technically efficient!Consider the choice of a production alternative described by point H . X = 60 and Y= 100.

More wheat can be produced without reducing the output of corn!

100

or more Y [corn] can be produced with no sacrifice of X [wheat] !

167 .

60

100H


wheat

corn Starting with the PPF model for corn and wheat, an output

choice that results in Y = 100 and X = 60 is not efficient.

.

60

100H

100

More wheat can be produced with no reduction in the output of corn.

167 More Y [corn] can be produced with no sacrifice of wheat.K

FF an K both describe output choices that are moreefficient than the output combination described at H

Any output choice that lies in the bluearea [triangle HFK] results in an

increase in output over point H,this is called “Pareto Safe.”

At point H the output is 100Y and 60X. At point F the outputis Y = 100 and X = 100, output has increased with the same inputsand technology. Increased technical efficiency.

Similar reasoning shows that K and all output combinations that lie in the blue area are technically more efficient than that at H. There is more X or Y or both with no less of either!


wheat

corn

.

60

100H

100

167K

F

The concept of technical efficiency fails to offer infalliblecriteria for making choices.

In the example, K & F are more “efficient” than H. However, we haveno information about whether F or K ismore “valued” by individuals and society! We have no information about whichalternative is preferred by whichindividuals or classes of individuals.

D.

..

.A

B

C

All production alternatives on the blue PPFare technically efficient. Points A, D, K, F, B, and C are alternatives thatsatisfy the conditions of “technical efficiency.” However, there is noinformation that tells us which alternative is “best.”

..

Neoclassical economics is a theory of market exchange and relative prices which is used to evaluate which production alternative is best.


wheat

corn

60

100H

100

167K

F

D...

.A

B

..

Market exchange is a transaction between individuals. In a monetized economy a “Price” reflects the a valuethat the two parties agree on. [Remember Oscar Wilde’s warning that a “Cynic is someone who knows the price of everything and thevalue of nothing!]

In the example, let the price ofwheat be PX = $4 and the price ofcorn be PY = $2.

PX = $4

PY = $2. Then the “value” of alternative H is(100 x $2) + (60 x $4) = $440.

$440

The “value” of alternative F is: (100 x $2) + (100 x $4) = $600.The “value” of alternative K is: (167 x $2) + (60 x $4) = $574.

$600

$574

Using neoclassical theory and market prices, F is preferred over K and K is preferred over H.

120

50

The “value” of alternative B is : (50 x $2) + (120 x $4) = $580. so F is morehighly “valued” than alternative B. Later in the section on demand theory the issue of income, income distribution, preferences and prices will be discussed in more detail.

$580

.


Allocative Efficiency

· allocative efficiency is the “highest valued” output possible given the market prices

· This alternative must necessarily fall on the PPF

· The location on the PPF depends on “relative prices” of the goods· relative prices depends on income

distribution and the preferences of the individuals


Allocative Efficiency

· allocative efficiency is defined as: Value of output

Value of input

Value of OutputX X Y Y n nP Q P Q P Q ...

Value of input t of inputs"cos "

where;


Pareto Efficiency

· Pareto efficiency is the primary criteria used in Neoclassical economics to evaluate alternatives

· Pareto efficiency is a condition such that there are no alternatives that will improve the welfare of any person(s) without making some one else (or others) “worse off”


Pareto Efficiency [cont. . . ]

· Clearly, if there is an alternative that will improve the welfare of at least one person and no one is any worse off, that alternative would improve the welfare of society. This is a Pareto improvement

· If the utility of at least one person can be increased, but some one else (or others) is made worse off, it is not a Pareto improvement

· Benefit/cost analysis is based on the Pareto criterion {rate of return on investment and others are also based on the Pareto criterion


wheat

corn

Starting with the PPF model for corn and wheat, an output choice [H] that results in Y = 100 and X = 60 is not “Pareto Efficient.”

100

K

F Individual’s preferences are not the same.Some people like wheat “better” than corn. Others prefer corn to wheat.

167

Irrespective of Price, a move to alternative F isa Pareto improvement. People who prefer wheatare “better off,“ people who like corn are“no worse off.”

Irrespective of Price, a move to alternative K is a Pareto improvement. People who prefer corn are “better off,“ people who like wheat are“no worse off.”

Any choice that lies in the blue triangleHFK is a Pareto improvement or is Pareto safe.

Once on the PPF, there are no alternatives that are Pareto improvements. Any increase in the output [which makes some one “better off”] of one good,requires a decrease in the other[ which makes some one “worse off” ]

60

100H. **


Pareto Efficiency and Voluntary Exchanges

· Market exchanges that are voluntary are said to be Pareto Optimal

· It is believed that no one would voluntarily enter into a voluntary exchange and make themselves “worse off”

· Therefore, one or both parties to a voluntary exchange is believed to be better off and no one is any worse off


Opportunity Cost & PPF

· The PPF demonstrates all production alternatives available given inputs and technology

· For each alternative represented by a point on the PPF, given an output of X there is an output of Y

· If you change X, you change Y.· Consider a PPF


YGiven a PPF, If we were producing at point A,

A

the choice results in 0 units of X and 6 units of Y.

If we want to produce 1 unit of X,the output of Y must decreaseto 5.7 at point B

1 2 3 4 X

1

2

3

4

5

6 B

Y = -.3

X=1

The cost of this first unit of X is -.3 units of Y. This is an approximationof the slope of PPF between A and B. This is also the “OpportunityCost” of the first unit of X. Later we will call this the “Marginal Cost”

slope = -.3

The second unit of X requires that the output of Y be reduced to 5.

C

This alternative [at point C] shows that the second unit of X “costs” .7 units of Y. This is the slope of PPF between points B and C.

C

slope = -.7

5.7


Production Alternatives [PPF]

Alternative X Y Slope

A 0 6

B 1 5.7

C 2 5

D 3 3.8

E 4 0

1 2 3 4 X

Y 65.7 5

4

3

2

1

Given the PPFA

B

From A to BSlope = 6-5.7

-.3

The output of Y decreased betweenA&B, so the costof -.3 units of Y is associated withthe first unit of X.Problem of discrete data!

C

E

From B to CSlope = 5.7-5

-.7

D3.8From C to D

Slope = 5-3.8

-1.2

-3.8

Given the data above, the first unit ofX “costs” .3Y; the second X costs .7Y; the third unit of X costs1.2 units of Y and the last [4] unit of X costs 3.8 Y.

The cost of each additional unit of X is defined by the absolute valueof the slope of the PPF, Y

X


1 2 3 4 5 6 X

65.7 5

4

3

2

1 The first unit of X “costs” .3Y; . The second X costs .7Y; . The third unit of X costs 1.2 units of Y

The 4rth unit of X costs 3.8 Y.

. 1 2 3 4 X

Y 65.7 5

4

3

2

1

AB

C

E

D

The PPFslope -.3

slope -.7slope -1.2

slope -3

.8

Y given up for X

opportunity costof X in terms ofY sacrificed

The opportunity cost of X, [in terms of Y] is the absolute value of theslope of the PPF. If the price of Y is known, the opportunity cost canbe stated in $.

.


PPF and Economic Growth

· The PPF will shift if:· there is a change in technology· there is a change in the quantity or

quality of inputs· If the PPF shifts “out,” we can produce

more output. Increased output is a simplistic definition of economic growth. In a more complex sense, the output mix or quality of output may change.


corn

wheat

A

B

Given a set of inputs and a state oftechnology, production function AB is determined.

Economic growth can be imagined asan outward shift of the PPF.

Should the quantity or quality of inputs diminish, the PPF would shift in.We would have fewer alternatives and wouldn’t be able to produce as much.

If there should be an improvement in the technology or an input that onlyapplied to the production of wheat, the PPF would shift out along the X axis.

W1

C1

Society might choose to produce the same amount of wheat [W1]. Even so, the output of corn could be increased as a result of animproved ability to produce wheat!

C2

fall ‘ 97principles of microeconomics this is a powerpoint presentation on the concept of of...

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