Question

You have two options for how to spend the afternoon. you can either go see a movie with your roommate or work as a tutor for the math department. from experience, you know that going to see a movie gives you $20 worth of enjoyment, and with your student discount, a movie ticket only costs $12. if you spend the afternoon working as a math tutor, you will get paid $45. on a typical day, you wouldn't be willing to spend the afternoon working as a math tutor for less than $35. what is your economic surplus from working as a math tutor instead of going to the movies?

Answer 1

Answer: Economic Surplus : $12

Explanation: Economic surplus is the difference between benefit and cost.

In this case, since he is working as a math tutor, he will get $45, there is no other cost. But if he goes for a movie, he will have to spend $12 on movie, which is the cost he needs to bear. The economic surplus is $12 which is not spent on the movie and worked as a math tutor.