Suppose that Verania and Josimar are roommates that need to complete some household chores. Vacuuming and washing dishes need to be done. They know from the last time they did these chores that it takes Verania 2 hours to vacuum and 1 hour to wash dishes. It takes Josimar 3 hours to vacuum and 2 hours to wash dishes. Josimar says it does not matter which task each of them performs because Verania is faster at both tasks. Josimar’s reasoning a. is wrong. Because Verania has a comparative advantage in washing dishes, she should wash dishes, and Josimar should vacuum. b. is correct. Because Verania is faster at both tasks, there is no benefit in each volunteer specializing in one task or the other. c. is wrong. Because Verania has an absolute advantage in both tasks, she should perform both tasks herself. d. is wrong. Because Josimar has a comparative advantage in washing dishes, he should wash dishes, and Verania should vacuum.

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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Suppose that Verania and Josimar are roommates that need to complete some household chores. Vacuuming and washing dishes need to be done. They know from the last time they did these chores that it takes Verania 2 hours to vacuum and 1 hour to wash dishes. It takes Josimar 3 hours to vacuum and 2 hours to wash dishes. Josimar says it does not matter which task each of them performs because Verania is faster at both tasks.

Josimar’s reasoning
a. is wrong. Because Verania has a comparative advantage in washing dishes, she should wash dishes, and Josimar should vacuum.
b. is correct. Because Verania is faster at both tasks, there is no benefit in each volunteer specializing in one task or the other.
c. is wrong. Because Verania has an absolute advantage in both tasks, she should perform both tasks herself.
d. is wrong. Because Josimar has a comparative advantage in washing dishes, he should wash dishes, and Verania should vacuum.
Expert Solution
Step 1

Absolute advantage can be defined as a concept which explains the efficiency of the goods or services produced in terms as when one country produces goods or services at low cost in comparison to other countries.

Comparative advantage can be defined as a concept which tells that the production of goods and services are done at a lower opportunity cost by a country in comparison to others, where lower opportunity cost gives the country a higher margin.

 

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