Question

Suppose an American worker can make 20 pairs of shoes or grow 100 apples per day. On the other hand, a Canadian worker can produce 10 pairs of shoes or grow 20 apples per day. The opportunity cost of a pair of shoes is __________ for the United States than Canada, so Canada has the ______________ advantage in shoe production.

Answer 1

Answer: Higher; Comparative advantage

Explanation:

A country or a firm has a comparative advantage in producing a commodity if the opportunity cost of producing that commodity in terms of other commodities is lower than the other country or firm.

Opportunity cost is the benefit that is foregone for an individual by choosing one alternative over other alternatives available to him.

If the opportunity cost is lower for an individual then this will benefit him whereas if the opportunity cost is higher then this will not benefit the individuals.

Therefore,

United states's Opportunity cost of producing a pair of shoes = $\frac{100}{20}$

= 5 apples have to be foregone for producing a pair of shoes

Canada's Opportunity cost of producing a pair of shoes = $\frac{20}{10}$

= 2 apples have to be foregone for producing a pair of shoes

Hence, Canada has a comparative advantage in producing pairs of shoes because Canada's opportunity cost of producing a pair of shoes is lower than United states opportunity cost.