Question

Suppose there are two states that do not trade: Iowa and Nebraska. Each state produces the same two goods: corn and wheat. For Iowa the opportunity cost of producing 1 bushel of wheat is 3 bushels of corn. For Nebraska the opportunity cost of producing 1 bushel of corn is 3 bushels of wheat. At present, Iowa produces 20 million bushels of wheat and 120 million bushels of corn, while Nebraska produces 20 million bushels of corn and 120 million bushels of wheat.
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a. Explain how, with trade, Nebraska can end up with 40 million bushels of wheat and 120 million bushels of corn while Iowa can end up with 40 million bushels of corn and 120 million bushels of wheat.
b. If the states ended up with the numbers given in a, assuming the person who arranges the trade (the trader) gets the remainder, how much would the trader get?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Iowa has an opportunity cost of producing 1 bushel of wheat as

= 3 bushels of corn

Nebraska's opportunity cost of producing 1 bushel of wheat is

= $\frac{1}{3}$

= 0.33 bushels of corn

Iowa's opportunity cost of producing 1 bushel of corn is

= $\frac{1}{3}$

= 0.33 bushels of wheat

Nebraska the opportunity cost of producing 1 bushel of corn is

= 3 bushels of wheat

Nebraska has a comparative advantage in producing wheat and Iowa has a comparative advantage in producing corn.

If both countries start to produce the commodity they have a comparative advantage in producing, both will gain from trade.

Iowa can give up producing 20 million bushels of wheat and instead produce additional

= 20 × 3 = 60 million bushels of corn

Similarly, Nebraska can give up producing 20 million bushels of corn and instead produce additional

= 20 × 3 = 60 million bushels of wheat

So now Iowa can produce 180 million bushels of corn no wheat and Nebraska can produce 180 million bushels of wheat and no corn.

a. If they trade, Nebraska can trade 120 million bushels of wheat for 60 bushels of corn. With this trade, Nebraska will end up with 120 million bushels of corn and 60 million bushels of wheat and Iowa will end up with 60 million bushels of corn and 120 million bushels of wheat.

b. The trader would get 20 million bushels of wheat and 20 million bushels of corn, which is the remainder amount.