Microeconomics Applications

Week 6 includes four (4) applications in major areas in Microeconomics: 1) Scarcity/Incentives; 2) Opportunity Costs; 3) Supply and Demand; and 4) Market Equilibrium. You must complete all four applications. The options for each application are located in the textbook.

Students will complete a draft essay for each of the applications. The drafts will be submitted for grading by the end of Week 1.

The Week 6 Assignment grading is as follows.

Applications 1, 2, 3, and 4: 9 points each

Articulation and APA: 2 points

Exercise 1.7 .

PPLICATION2 Law of Supply and Woolympics
APPLYING THE CONCEPTS #2: What is the law of supply?

In the 1990s, the world price of wool decreased by about 30 percent, and prices have remained relatively low since then. Based on the law of supply, we would expect the quantity of wool supplied from New Zealand and other exporters to decrease, and that’s what happened. Land formerly used to grow grass for wool-producing sheep has been converted into other uses, including dairy products, forestry, and the domestication of deer.

There have been several attempts to revive the wool industry by boosting the demand for wool and thus increasing its price. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibres, with the objective “to raise awareness and stimulate demand for natural fibres.” In 2012, the Federated Farmers of New Zealand proposed that sheep shearing be added to the Commonwealth Games and Olympics as a demonstration sport. The favorites for Olympic titles are the current world record holders Ivan Scott (744 sheep in 24 hours) and Kerry-Jo Te Huia (507 sheep in 24 hours). Of course, it’s not obvious that Olympic shearing would increase the demand for wool, and then there is the problem of what to do with all the sheared wool. Speed knitting? Related to Exercises 2.6  and  2.10 .

APPLICATION4 Chinese Demand and Pecan Prices
APPLYING THE CONCEPTS #4: How does a change in demand affect the equilibrium price

Between 2006 and 2009, Chinese imports of U.S. pecans increased from 9 million pounds per year to 88 million pounds. The increase in demand from China is roughly 30 percent of the total annual crop. The increase in demand was caused in part by widespread reports in the Chinese media that pecans promote brain and cardiovascular health. As a result of the increase in demand, the equilibrium price of pecans increased by about 50 percent, increasing the price of pecan pie, a holiday favorite. Related to  Exercises 4.6  and  4.10 .

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