S.5 Economics

Exercise 2: Total Social SurplusMax. mark = 32

Suggested AnswersMarks

1.Consumer surplus is the extra amount a consumer is willing to pay above whathe actually pays for a given quantity of goods. 2

Consumer surplus will be maximized when marginal benefit equals to price.1

2.Producer surplus is the extra amount a producer actually receives above

the minimum amount he must receive to produce a given quantity of goods.2

Producer surplus will be maximized when marginal cost equals to price.1

3.

4.

Q (units) / AVC ($) / TVC ($) / TC (4) / MC ($)
2 / 3 / 6 / 13 / 4
3 / 4 / 12 / 19 / 6
4 / 5 / 20 / 27 / 8
5 / 6 / 30 / 37 / 10
6 / 7 / 42 / 49 / 12

The profit-maximizing output level is 4 units (marginal cost = price = $8)

Profit = $8  4 units – $7 – $5  4 units = $32 – $27 = $51

Producer surplus = $8  4 units – $5  4 units = $32 – $30 = $121

5.(a)

Q / AC / AB / TC / TB / MC / MB
1 / 48 / 120 / 48 / 120 / 48 / 120
2 / 50 / 110 / 100 / 220 / 52 / 100
3 / 52 / 100 / 156 / 300 / 56 / 80
4 / 54 / 90 / 216 / 360 / 60 / 60
5 / 56 / 80 / 280 / 400 / 64 / 40

Correct calculation of the column of MC1

Correct calculation of the column of MB1

(b)Equilibrium price = $60 per unit1

Equilibrium quantity = 4 units1

(c)Consumer surplus = $360 – $60  4 = $1201

Producer surplus = $60  4 – $216 = $241

Total social surplus = $120+ $24= $1441

6.An increase in the number of LDH

Demand for FDH as their services are substitutes2

 Excess supply of FDH1

The total wage income of all FDH in HK would decrease because

fixed monthly wage and smaller number of FDH.1

7.(a)Public limited company/listed company1

(b)(i)In a partnership,any given owner cannot transfer his/hershares of ownership without the consent of other partners while in a public limited company, the shares are freely transferable. 2

(ii)A partnership does not have independent legal status while a public limited company has an independent legal status. 2

NMH\s5econ\exercise\02surplusP. 1