1.2

Opportunity Cost and the Production Possibilities Curve

AP Macroeconomics

Opportunity Cost

Worked Example

The Production Possibilities Curve

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343512345678910111213141516171819202122232425Wheat (tons)Steel (tons)Inefficient (inside)C (on PPC)Impossible (outside)PPC

Points ON the PPC are efficient; inside is inefficient; outside is unattainable with current resources

Key Properties

Constant vs. Increasing Opportunity Cost

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334351234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435Consumer GoodsCapital GoodsBowed-out PPCStraight-line PPC

Bowed-out PPC (increasing opportunity cost) vs. straight-line PPC (constant opportunity cost)

Shifting the PPC

Asymmetric Shifts

Macro Connection

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