Question

In one hour of labor input, South Korea can produce either 100 computer chips or 50 bed linens. In the U.S., in one hour of labor input, either 150 computer chips or 100 bed linens can be made. Select the correct response below.
a. S. Korea has a comparative advantage in bed linen manufacturing.
b. The U.S. has an absolute advantage in computer chips manufacturing.
c. The U.S. has a comparative advantage in computer chip manufacturing.
d. Korea has an absolute advantage in bed linen manufacturing.
e. All of these are correct

Answer 1

Answer:

b. The U.S. has an absolute advantage in computer chips manufacturing.

Explanation:

South Korea's opportunity cost of producing 1 bed linen = 100/50 = 2 computer chips. Where, US' opportunity cost of producing 1 bed linen = 150/100 = 1.5 computer chips.

As US' opportunity cost of producing 1 bed linen is less than that of South Korea's , Therefore, US has comparative advantage in production of bed linen and south korea will have comparative advantage in production of the other good i.e. computer chips.

Now looking at the absolute advantage, US has absolute advantage in production of both goods i.e. Bed linen and computer chips, because using same one hour of labor input, US can produce more bed linen and computer chips than South korea does.