📚 Learning Guide
Marginal Analysis and Social Optimality
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In the context of marginal analysis, which of the following scenarios represents a situation where Pareto efficiency is achieved?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

A resource allocation where one individual's utility can be increased without decreasing another's utility

B

A market where prices perfectly reflect the marginal cost of production

C

A situation where all resources are allocated to maximize total output

D

A scenario where increasing production for one good reduces the quantity available for another

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

Pareto efficiency occurs when resources are allocated in a way that makes at least one person better off without making anyone else worse off. In marginal analysis, we look at the benefits and costs of small changes in resource allocation. For example, imagine a situation where a bakery and a coffee shop share a space. If the bakery increases its production of bread, and this makes its customers happier without reducing the coffee shop’s sales, then this change can be considered Pareto efficient. In this case, both businesses are benefiting from the arrangement, showing that resources are being used in the most efficient way possible.

Detailed Explanation

This option shows that one person can be happier without making anyone else less happy. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that just having prices match costs means efficiency; Maximizing total output sounds good, but it doesn't mean everyone is better off.

Key Concepts

optimization
Pareto efficiency
Topic

Marginal Analysis and Social Optimality

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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