2018 AP Microeconomics FRQ #3

2018 AP Microeconomics FRQ #3

(a) Nirali spends 3 hours studying microeconomics and 2 hours studying history. Calculate her gain from the second hour spent studying history.

First, we should recognize that the Expected Score is the expected Output (grade) gained by studying a certain number of hours. For instance, if I study one hour my expected score will be a 40 on the exam, and if I study an additional hour (2) I'll add 20 points to my score. My marginal score from 1 hour studied to 2 hours studied is 20. I gained 20 points by studying and extra hour.

(b) Calculate Nirali's opportunity cost of time spent studying that second hour of history.

(c) Assume that Narali increases the time she allocates to studying history. What happens to the opportunity cost of studying history? Explain.

We would assume that opportunity cost would increase. Her Opportunity cost (what she gives up) by studying more history is a worse score in Micro. 

(d) Assume that Narali has a goal of maximizing the sum of her test scores. How many hours should she study for each?

It's clear by looking at the marginal gains, that the best choice is 3 hours of history and 2 hours of Micro.

At 3 hours of history and 2 of micro we gain a total score (utility) of 72 + 82 = 154

At 2 hours of history and 3 of micro we gain a total score (utility) of 60 + 90 = 140

At 4 hours of history and 1 of micro we gain a total score (utility) of 77 + 60 = 137

(e) Nirali gains an additional hour where will she allocate it? Explain using marginal analysis.

The 3rd hour of micro gains her 8 points while the 4th hour of history only gains her 5 points.

8 > 5 so choose the additional hour of micro.

2018 AP Microeconomics FRQ #2

2018 AP Microeconomics FRQ #2

Watch me answer it here

https://youtu.be/AzdgaEt_qh8

(a) Identify the type of market failure illustrated by the graph. Explain.

The type of market failure is an Positive Consumption "Externality".

(b) Using the numbers on the graph, identify the market equilibrium price and quantity.

(c) Using the labeling on the graph, identify the area representing DWL at the quantity identified in part (b).

Part (b) is the equilibrium price of $6 and quantity of 16, the DWL at that quantity is EDF.

(d) Suppose the government is granting a subsidy to correct the market failure. What is the dollar value of the per unit subsidy to achieve the SOQ (Socially Optimal Quantity)?

(e) Suppose the government installs a price floor at $8,

(i) How many units will producers and consumers exchange? (8)

(ii) Does the Price floor correct the market failure?

NO, it actually makes it worse,, society would like 24 units consumed but after the price floor only 8 units are consumed.

College Board
Thou canst not vex me with inconsistent mind,
Since that my life on thy revolt doth lie.
O, what a happy externality do I find,
Happy to have thy love, happy to die!

2018 AP Microeconomics FRQ #1

2018 AP Microeconomics FRQ #1

Watch me answer it here

https://youtu.be/fPnNC8fXyGE

(A) Draw a correctly labeled graph for Single Cinema, and show

       (i) The profit maximizing price and quantity of tickets labeled as Pm and Qm respectively.

       (ii) The area representing the negative economic profit (loss) shaded completely

(B) Explain why Single continues to operate in the short-run despite earning negative profits.

Understand that as long as Single is at least paying some of its fixed costs and it isn't at the shut-down point (P = min AVC) then it should continue to operate. 

The distance between the AVC and the ATC represents fixed costs (costs that don't change with additional output) if by being in business we are making a loss but are still paying some of our fixed costs we should remain in business because if we shut down, all of our fixed costs are due.

Think of it like this, we pay $500 a month in rent, rent that is due every month no matter if we produce any product or not. If by being open we are making a loss of $100 a month, we are still paying $400 of our fixed costs (rent). If we shut down we owe the entire $500. As long as we stay open even when making a loss we will be covering some of our fixed costs. If the price falls below the minimum of the AVC (Shut-down point) we can't cover any of our fixed costs and now some of our VC (variable costs) can't be paid, variable costs include labor. 

(C) Would Single's total revenue increase, decrease or stay the same if it decides to sell one ticket less than Qm? Explain.

Recognize that if Single reduces it's quantity by 1 the price will increase, as the monopolist only produces in the elastic section of its demand curve, an increase in price means a decrease in total revenue.

(D) Single hires workers in a perfectly competitive labor market with a downward sloping demand curve. Suppose the number of workers available in the market decreases.

   (i) What will happen to the wage rate? Explain.

   (ii) What will happen to the MRP of the last worker hired.  Explain.

(i) Number of workers decreases = Supply of labor decreases = Wage increases

(ii) Understand that the MRP = MP x Pg (Marginal Product x the Price of the Good Sold)

The MP of each worker decreases as more workers are added to the fixed capital = diminishing marginal returns so the reverse of this would be that every person not hired (fired) would have a hire MRP that the preceding one.

PPC Cheat Sheet - Updated

PPC Cheat Sheet - Updated 07/01/2018