A consumer has preferences for two goods that are represented by the utility function u(x1, x2)

E2

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.

In the Disney movie Frozen, the Kingdom of Arendelle changes overnight from a warm, flower filled place to being completely frozen (the story takes place in July).  Just after this change in weather, there is a scene where two characters visit a trading post.  At the trading post one character (Kristoff) is looking to buy winter transportation equipment and eventually sell some ice.  The other character (Anna) is looking to buy some winter clothes.  A link to the scene can be found in the module. For this assignment, please show how this change in weather would likely effect the markets for winter transportation equipment, winter clothes, and ice (assume the ice would be used by people who want to cool drinks).  Specifically, draw a new supply or demand curve for the products and identify new equilibrium quantity or supply if you think the change in weather would have an impact on any of those measurements. In the clip Kristoff calls Oaken a crook for charging higher prices than he…