JAMB UTME - Economics - 2022

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Economic goods are termed scarce goods when they are not available in sufficient quantity to satisfy all wants for them. In other words, when there is a limited supply of a good or resource, but a potentially unlimited demand for it, that good is considered to be scarce. This concept is fundamental to economics because it helps to explain why goods have value and why individuals and societies must make choices about how to allocate scarce resources.

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If the marginal utility of a commodity is equal to its price, then the consumer is in equilibrium. This means that the consumer is getting the maximum satisfaction possible from the commodity, given its price. If the marginal utility was greater than the price, the consumer would be willing to pay more for an additional unit of the commodity, indicating that they are not yet at their maximum level of satisfaction. Conversely, if the marginal utility was less than the price, the consumer would not be willing to pay the price for an additional unit, indicating that they have already exceeded their maximum level of satisfaction. Therefore, when the marginal utility is equal to the price, the consumer is in a state of balance, and does not want to consume more or less of the commodity.

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The increase in the demand for a commodity may lead to a decrease in the demand for another if both are in competitive demand. When two goods are in competitive demand, they are seen as substitutes for each other, meaning that they can be used for the same purpose. For example, coffee and tea can be seen as substitutes for each other, since both are beverages that can be used to satisfy the same desire for a hot drink. So, if the demand for coffee increases, people may buy more coffee and less tea, because they see coffee as a substitute for tea. Similarly, if the demand for tea increases, people may buy more tea and less coffee, because they see tea as a substitute for coffee. On the other hand, if two goods are in complementary demand, they are often used together. For example, if the demand for cars increases, the demand for gasoline will also increase, since cars require gasoline to run. Similarly, if the demand for smartphones increases, the demand for phone cases may also increase, since people may want to protect their phones. In composite demand, a good has multiple uses, so an increase in demand for one use may not necessarily lead to a decrease in demand for another use. And in the case of goods of the same quality, an increase in demand for one good does not necessarily affect the demand for the other good, since they are not substitutes or complements.

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In the long-run, a firm should shut down if its average revenue is less than its average cost. This is because, in the long-run, all costs are considered variable, meaning the firm can adjust its production and input levels. If the firm continues to operate despite having average revenue less than average cost, it will continue to incur losses. To understand this concept, it's essential to know what the average revenue and average cost mean. Average revenue is the total revenue earned by a firm divided by the quantity of output produced. On the other hand, average cost is the total cost incurred by a firm divided by the quantity of output produced. The average cost can further be divided into two categories: average variable cost and average fixed cost. The average variable cost is the cost that varies with the level of output, such as labor and raw material costs. In contrast, the average fixed cost is the cost that remains constant regardless of the level of output, such as rent and salaries. So, in the long-run, a firm must shut down if its average revenue is less than its average cost because it means that the firm is not generating enough revenue to cover all its variable and fixed costs. By shutting down, the firm can avoid further losses and redirect its resources elsewhere. On the other hand, if the firm's average revenue is greater than its average cost, it can continue to operate and earn profits.

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Demand-pull inflation occurs when the overall demand for goods and services in an economy exceeds the supply of those goods and services, leading to an increase in the general price level. This increase in demand may be caused by a number of factors, such as an increase in consumer confidence, an increase in government spending, or an increase in exports. Out of the given options, an increasingly large budget deficit is the most likely cause of demand-pull inflation. When the government spends more money than it collects in taxes, it may finance the deficit by borrowing from the central bank, other banks or the public. This increases the overall amount of money in circulation in the economy, which in turn leads to an increase in demand for goods and services. This increased demand can then lead to higher prices for those goods and services, resulting in demand-pull inflation. An increase in the cost of factor inputs, such as labor or raw materials, may also contribute to inflation, but this is known as cost-push inflation, which occurs when the cost of producing goods and services increases, leading to higher prices. An increase in the income tax rate and an increase in the bank lending rate can reduce the overall demand for goods and services and lead to a decrease in inflation.

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The firm is said to be experiencing diseconomies of scale if the cost of production continues to increase as its output rises. Diseconomies of scale occur when the firm becomes too large, and the increased complexity and coordination costs of managing a large organization outweigh the benefits of increased production. This can result in a decrease in efficiency, productivity, and profitability for the firm.

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An exceptional demand curve can result from an expectation of future price increase. When people think that the price of a good or service is going to increase in the future, they may start buying more of it now in order to avoid paying the higher price later. This increase in demand can cause the price of the good or service to go up in the present, creating an exceptional demand curve that deviates from the typical downward-sloping demand curve. The other factors, such as an increase in the price of raw materials, increase in the size of the population, or change in taste of consumers, can also impact the demand for a good or service, but an expectation of future price increase is a unique factor that can result in an exceptional demand curve.

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The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) as an international monetary institution is concerned with the development of infrastructure in member nations. The IBRD, also known as the World Bank, was established to help finance the reconstruction and development of war-torn and developing countries after World War II. The bank provides loans, technical assistance, and other financial services to support projects in a variety of sectors, including infrastructure development, such as transportation, energy, and communication networks, among others. While the IBRD is concerned with the economic development of member nations, it is not primarily focused on financing private business or improving trade among member nations, although these may be outcomes of its operations. Additionally, the IBRD may also provide assistance to member nations facing balance of payments problems, but this is not its primary objective.

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The demand for labour is an example of derived demand. Derived demand refers to the demand for a good or service that arises from the demand for another good or service. In the case of labour, the demand for it is derived from the demand for the goods and services that labour produces. For example, a factory may demand more labour to increase production of a particular product to meet customer demand. The demand for labour is not a direct demand, but rather a demand that is derived from the demand for the final product.

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The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that provides loans, technical assistance, and other services to developing countries. Out of the options provided, the IBRD does not reduce tariffs among its members. Its main focus is on granting long-term loans to member countries for development projects, providing technical expertise to help those countries implement those projects successfully, and developing human resources in those countries. Tariff reduction is not one of its main functions.

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Commodities X and Y are substitutes. Substitute goods are products that can be used in place of each other. When the price of commodity X rises, consumers shift to commodity Y because it is a cheaper alternative to X. An example of substitute goods is coffee and tea - if the price of coffee increases, some people may switch to drinking tea instead.

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Under a floating exchange rate regime, the determinant of the exchange rate is "demand for and supply of foreign goods." In a floating exchange rate system, the exchange rate between two currencies is determined by the market forces of supply and demand. Factors such as interest rates, inflation rates, and trade flows can influence the demand for and supply of currencies, which in turn can affect the exchange rate. Unlike fixed exchange rate systems, where the exchange rate is determined by government policy, in a floating exchange rate system, the exchange rate can fluctuate based on market conditions.

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The elasticity of demand measures the responsiveness of the quantity demanded of a commodity to a change in its price. In this case, when the price of the commodity increased from $4.00 to $5.00, the quantity demanded increased from 20 units to 30 units. To calculate the elasticity of demand, we use the following formula: Elasticity of demand = (percent change in quantity demanded) / (percent change in price) First, let's find the percent change in quantity demanded: (30 units - 20 units) / 20 units = 0.50 or 50% Next, let's find the percent change in price: (5.00 - 4.00) / 4.00 = 0.25 or 25% Finally, let's plug in the values into the formula: Elasticity of demand = 0.50 / 0.25 = 2.00 So, the elasticity of demand in this case is 2.00. This means that a 1% increase in price leads to a 2% decrease in the quantity demanded.

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A positive effect of a rapid population increase is a wider market for goods and services. When there are more people in a country, there is a higher demand for goods and services, which can lead to economic growth and development. As more people are born and immigrate to a country, they will need housing, food, clothing, healthcare, and other goods and services, which can lead to an increase in jobs and businesses. This wider market for goods and services can stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities, and ultimately improve the standard of living for individuals in the country. However, it is important to note that rapid population growth can also bring challenges such as pressure on resources and infrastructure, which can lead to other negative effects.

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In developing countries, the largest component of national income is typically wages and salaries. This means that the majority of the income earned in these countries comes from the money that people make from their jobs or employment. Wages and salaries are paid to workers in exchange for their labor, and they are typically the main source of income for most people in developing countries. This income can come from a variety of sources, including working in factories, farming, providing services, or working in other industries. While profits and rent can also be important sources of income in some cases, they generally make up a smaller proportion of national income in developing countries. Profits are the earnings that businesses make after deducting their expenses, while rent is the income that comes from owning property or other assets. In summary, the largest component of national income in developing countries is typically wages and salaries, which are earned by workers in exchange for their labor.

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A major characteristic of natural resources is that they are free gifts of nature. This means that they are not produced by humans, but are found naturally in the environment. Examples of natural resources include water, air, forests, minerals, and fossil fuels. However, although natural resources are free in the sense that they are not created by humans, their extraction, production, and transportation often involve costs. Additionally, some natural resources may become scarce over time due to overuse or depletion, leading to increased prices and a greater focus on sustainability and conservation efforts.

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If W stands for wages/salaries, P for profits, R for interest, and Z for rent on land and real estate, then the national income is given by:

W + P + R + Z

This is because national income is the total amount of income earned by individuals and firms within a country's borders, and it includes all four components of W, P, R, and Z.

Wages and salaries are earned by employees, profits are earned by business owners, interest is earned by lenders, and rent is earned by landlords. When we add up all of these components, we get the total national income.

Therefore, "W+P+R+Z," is the correct answer.

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In perfectly elastic supply, the supply curve is a horizontal line. This means that the quantity of a good that a supplier is willing to sell is not affected by changes in the price of the good. The supplier will sell any quantity of the good at the market price, no matter how high or low it is. In other words, the supply is perfectly responsive to changes in the price, so the supply curve is flat.

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Holding money to take care of contingencies is a precautionary motive. This means that people keep money saved in case of unexpected events or emergencies, such as a sudden illness, job loss, or car repair. By having money set aside, they are better prepared to handle these situations and can avoid going into debt or facing financial hardship. In short, holding money for precautionary reasons is a way to protect one's financial security and peace of mind.

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Under flexible exchange rates, a deficit could be corrected by the appreciation of other currencies. Flexible exchange rates are determined by market forces of supply and demand, without any government intervention. This means that the value of a country's currency can fluctuate based on changes in economic conditions and market expectations. In the case of a deficit, the demand for a country's currency will decrease, causing its value to fall relative to other currencies. This depreciation can make the country's exports cheaper and more competitive, while making imports more expensive, which can help correct the deficit. On the other hand, the appreciation of other currencies can make a country's exports more expensive and reduce demand for them, which can worsen the deficit.

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If the mining sector contributes 60% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), then its contribution can be calculated by multiplying the GDP by 60% (or 0.60, which is the decimal equivalent of 60%).

So, the contribution of the mining sector to the GDP is:

Contribution of mining sector = GDP x 60%

= $540 x 0.60

= $324

Therefore, the contribution of the mining sector to the GDP is $324. 

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The privatization and commercialization of public enterprises in Nigeria is necessitated by their operational inefficiency. Public enterprises in Nigeria, like in many other countries, have often been criticized for poor management, corruption, and inefficiency, which have resulted in heavy financial losses for the government. Privatization and commercialization are seen as a way to introduce more competition, increase efficiency, and reduce the financial burden on the government. While the IMF and the World Bank have encouraged privatization in many countries as a condition for receiving loans, in Nigeria, the privatization and commercialization policies were largely driven by domestic factors, including the need to improve the performance of public enterprises.

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The main objective of marketing boards is to stabilize the incomes of cash crop farmers. Marketing boards help to regulate the supply and demand of cash crops, ensuring stable prices and incomes for farmers. They also provide support services to farmers, such as warehousing facilities and education on pricing, to help them sell their crops more effectively. While marketing boards may generate revenue for the government, their primary focus is on supporting and protecting the livelihoods of farmers.

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Economics problems arise in all societies because of the fundamental concept of scarcity. Scarcity means that the resources available to society are limited, while the wants and needs of individuals are virtually unlimited. This leads to a situation where individuals, businesses, and governments have to make choices about how to allocate scarce resources in the most efficient and effective way possible. For example, a society may want to provide free healthcare to all its citizens, but it may not have the resources to do so. Alternatively, a business may want to produce more products, but it may not have the resources to expand its production line. These are just two examples of the countless economic choices that are made every day. Mismanagement of resources by leaders, lack of planning, inadequate supply of resources, and underutilization of economists are some of the factors that can exacerbate economic problems in a society. However, the underlying cause of economic problems is the scarcity of resources, which requires individuals and institutions to make difficult choices about how to allocate those resources.

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The major role of multi-national companies in the petroleum industry in Nigeria is oil prospecting. These companies typically invest heavily in exploration, drilling, and production of crude oil in Nigeria, which is one of the largest oil-producing countries in Africa. The multi-national companies also play a significant role in the development of Nigeria's oil and gas infrastructure, including pipelines, storage facilities, and export terminals, which are necessary for getting the oil to international markets. While some of these companies are also involved in downstream activities such as oil marketing and refining, their primary role in Nigeria's petroleum industry is oil exploration and production.

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Among the given options, the factor that may not affect the efficiency of labor is the race and color of the workforce. The efficiency of labor refers to the amount of output that a worker can produce within a given time frame. Education and training can enhance workers' skills and knowledge, improving their ability to perform their jobs efficiently. Providing welfare services such as healthcare, childcare, and paid time off can also increase worker satisfaction and well-being, which can positively impact their productivity. The quality of other factor inputs, such as machinery, raw materials, and technology, can also have a significant impact on labor efficiency. High-quality inputs can facilitate and enhance workers' ability to produce more output in less time, increasing their efficiency. However, the race and color of the workforce do not inherently affect the efficiency of labor. A worker's productivity is determined by their individual skills, knowledge, and work ethic, regardless of their race or color. Discrimination based on race or color can negatively impact worker morale, job satisfaction, and opportunities, which can indirectly affect labor efficiency. Still, race or color itself is not a direct determinant of worker efficiency.

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The value added by the baker is $90.00. To calculate the value added by the baker, we need to subtract the cost of goods sold (COGS) from the revenue. The COGS in this case includes the cost of flour and other ingredients, which is not given, but we know that the baker spent a total of $250.00 on these items. We also need to include the cost of distribution, which is $52.00. So the total COGS is $250.00 + $52.00 = $302.00. The revenue from selling the bread is $320.00. Therefore, the value added by the baker is $320.00 - $302.00 = $18.00. In other words, the baker added $18.00 of value to the raw materials and distribution costs to produce and sell the bread. This value added represents the baker's contribution to the economy and is a measure of the wealth created by the baker's business.

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A major function of the retailer is to break bulk and sell products in small units to consumers. This means that retailers purchase goods in large quantities from wholesalers or manufacturers and then sell them in smaller quantities to individuals or households. By doing so, retailers make it easier for consumers to access a wide range of products, as they do not have to buy in bulk or directly from the manufacturer. Additionally, retailers often play a key role in generating demand for products through advertising and marketing efforts. By showcasing products in stores and online, and through various forms of advertising, retailers can help to build brand awareness and encourage consumers to purchase products. While some retailers may offer credit to wholesalers or consumers, this is not a primary function of retailing. Similarly, while retailers can help to reduce the cost of distribution by consolidating products and shipping them in bulk, this is a secondary function of retailing that supports the primary function of breaking bulk and selling products in small units.

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An advantage of the sole proprietorship over the partnership form of business organization is that it relies on the decision of one individual and does not require the consent or involvement of others. This can make decision-making more efficient and effective, and reduce the possibility of conflicts between partners. In contrast, partnerships require consensus and agreement among multiple individuals, which can be time-consuming and challenging, especially when there are disagreements. However, it is important to note that a sole proprietorship does not enjoy limited liability for debt in the event of failure, and its existence is limited by the individual owner's life span.

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The industry that adds more value to primary products is the processing industry. The processing industry takes raw materials, such as those produced by the mining industry, and turns them into finished products through various manufacturing processes. This added value comes from transforming the raw materials into something that is more useful and valuable to consumers. The service industry, on the other hand, provides services to individuals and businesses, such as consulting, financial advice, or customer support. While the service industry is important for the economy, it does not add value to primary products in the same way that the processing industry does. The construction industry involves the building of structures and infrastructure, such as buildings, roads, and bridges. While the construction industry uses materials produced by the mining industry, it does not add value to these materials in the same way that the processing industry does. In conclusion, the processing industry is the industry that adds the most value to primary products by transforming raw materials into finished goods that are more useful and valuable to consumers.

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The situation in which all inputs are doubled and the output also doubles is known as "constant returns to scale." This means that if a firm increases all of its inputs by a certain proportion, the output will also increase by the same proportion. In other words, the production function exhibits constant returns to scale if increasing all inputs by a constant factor results in an output increase by the same constant factor.

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A firm's average cost can decrease in the long-run due to increasing returns to scale. This means that as the firm increases its production, it experiences a decrease in its average cost. This can be due to various factors such as specialization, economies of scale, and better utilization of resources. For example, a firm that produces 100 units of a product might have an average cost of $10 per unit. However, if it increases its production to 200 units, it might be able to reduce its average cost to $8 per unit. This could be due to the fact that the firm can take advantage of bulk discounts on raw materials, use more efficient production methods, and spread its fixed costs over a larger number of units. Therefore, when a firm experiences increasing returns to scale, it can reduce its average cost in the long-run, which can lead to higher profits and a competitive advantage in the market.

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Unemployment of resources occurs when production is below the production possibility curve, which means that the economy is not using all of its available resources to produce goods and services. These unused resources can include labor, capital, land, and natural resources. When production is within the production possibility curve, it means that the economy is using all of its resources efficiently and producing as much as it can given its current level of resources. Along the production possibility curve, the economy is also producing efficiently, but it is not using all of its resources. If production is outside the production possibility curve, it means that the economy is not capable of producing that level of output given its current resources. Finally, if production is adequate to meet market demand, it means that the economy is producing enough goods and services to satisfy the needs and wants of consumers. In summary, unemployment of resources occurs when the economy is not using all of its available resources to produce goods and services, which results in an output level below the production possibility curve.

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The effect of an increase in the personal income tax is to reduce the disposable income of taxpayers. When personal income taxes are increased, taxpayers have less money to spend on goods and services, as more of their income is going towards taxes. This reduction in disposable income can lead to a decrease in consumer spending, which can have a negative impact on businesses and the economy as a whole. Increasing personal income taxes may also have a distorting effect on the economy, as it can create disincentives for individuals to work, save, and invest. However, it is not likely to raise the absolute price level, as this is determined by a variety of factors including supply and demand in the economy. Furthermore, an increase in personal income taxes is not directly linked to a reduction in unemployment, as this is influenced by a wide range of factors such as economic growth, labour market policies, and the overall state of the economy.

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The theory of comparative advantage states that a commodity should be produced in that nation where the opportunity cost is least. Opportunity cost is the cost of choosing one option over another, and in the context of comparative advantage, it refers to the cost of producing a particular good or service in terms of what has to be given up to produce it. A country should specialize in producing and exporting the goods and services for which it has a comparative advantage, which means that it can produce them at a lower opportunity cost than other countries. While the absolute cost and absolute money cost of production can be important factors in determining the competitiveness of a particular commodity, the theory of comparative advantage emphasizes the importance of considering opportunity cost. Furthermore, the production possibility curve, which shows the maximum combination of two goods that can be produced with a given set of resources, is not directly related to the theory of comparative advantage, although it can help illustrate some of the concepts involved in the theory.