JAMB UTME - Economics - 2022

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Nations engage in external trade because of the differences in comparative cost, also known as comparative advantage. Comparative advantage is the ability of a country to produce goods or services at a lower opportunity cost than another country. Opportunity cost is the cost of one choice in terms of the best alternative that must be given up. In other words, it's the cost of producing one product in terms of the number of other products that could have been produced instead. For example, let's say that Country A can produce both cars and computers, but it can only produce one of them at a time. If Country A devotes all its resources to producing cars, it can produce 100,000 cars per year. If it devotes all its resources to producing computers, it can produce 50,000 computers per year. Meanwhile, Country B can produce 60,000 cars per year or 30,000 computers per year. In this case, Country A has a comparative advantage in producing cars because it has a lower opportunity cost of producing cars compared to computers. As a result, Country A can produce cars at a lower cost and sell them to Country B, which can in turn produce computers at a lower cost and sell them to Country A. This allows both countries to benefit from trade and improve their overall welfare. In summary, nations engage in external trade because of the differences in comparative cost, which allow countries to specialize in producing goods and services that they can produce more efficiently and trade with other countries for goods and services that they cannot produce efficiently. This creates mutual benefits for all countries involved.

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The stock exchange is an example of a capital market. A capital market is a market where individuals and institutions trade financial securities, such as stocks and bonds, with the goal of raising capital. In other words, the capital market is where businesses can go to raise money by selling ownership in the company (stocks) or borrowing money (bonds) from investors. The stock exchange is a specific type of capital market where publicly-traded companies can sell ownership in the form of stocks to the public. Investors can buy and sell these stocks on the exchange, and the value of the stocks can rise or fall based on various factors, such as the company's financial performance, overall market conditions, and investor sentiment. Overall, the stock exchange and other capital markets play an important role in facilitating the flow of capital and resources throughout the economy, helping businesses raise funds to invest in growth and development, and providing investors with opportunities to earn a return on their investment.

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The scale of preference refers to a list of a consumer's wants or desires arranged in order of importance or priority. It shows the consumer's preferences or choices among different options. The scale of preference is subjective and varies from person to person. For instance, if a person is given the choice to buy a new smartphone, a new pair of shoes, or a ticket to a concert, they may rank these options in order of priority. If they value communication more than entertainment, they may choose the smartphone as their top priority. Conversely, if they value entertainment more than communication, they may choose the concert ticket. Thus, the scale of preference is a way to understand how consumers make choices based on their preferences and priorities, and it helps in predicting their behavior in the market.

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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 the long run, all production factors are "variable." This means that in the long run, a firm can adjust all of its production inputs, including labor, capital, and technology, to change the scale of its operations. In the short run, some inputs may be fixed, such as the size of the factory, which can only be changed in the long run. But in the long run, all inputs can be varied to optimize production and increase efficiency. The ability to adjust all inputs in the long run is what distinguishes the long run from the short run in the theory of production.

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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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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 production process described in the question, where the marginal physical product of the variable factor increases as more units of it are added to a fixed factor, is referred to as increasing returns to the variable factor. In this case, the variable factor is becoming increasingly productive as more units of it are added, which results in an increase in the marginal physical product. Increasing returns to scale, on the other hand, refer to the situation where an increase in all factors of production leads to a more than proportionate increase in output. Constant returns to the variable factor occur when increasing the variable factor by a certain percentage leads to a proportional increase in output. Finally, external economies of scale refer to the cost advantages that a firm experiences as a result of factors outside of its control, such as the growth of an industry or the development of infrastructure.

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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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To compare the standard of living among nations, the most widely used economic indicator is the real per capita income. This is a measure of the average income per person in a given country, adjusted for inflation to reflect the purchasing power of that income. It is calculated by dividing the real gross domestic product (GDP) of a country by its population, which gives a sense of the economic output per person. While per capita nominal income and real gross national income are also used as economic indicators, they do not take into account inflation or differences in the cost of living across countries, which can make them less useful for comparing living standards. Real domestic output is not as widely used as real per capita income as it does not take into account the size of the population, which is an important factor in determining the standard of living.

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Marginal cost refers to the cost of producing one additional unit of a good or service. It is the cost of producing the last or extra unit of output. This cost includes the variable costs of producing the additional unit, such as the cost of materials and labor, but it does not include fixed costs like rent or salaries, which do not change with the level of production. The concept of marginal cost is important in economics because it helps businesses and policymakers make decisions about how much to produce, what price to set for their goods or services, and whether to enter or exit a market. By analyzing their marginal costs, businesses can determine whether producing an additional unit of a good will be profitable or not.

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An effect of inflation is that it "favors debtors at the expense of creditors." Inflation reduces the real value of money over time, which means that the value of debt also decreases. This can be an advantage for debtors, who are able to repay their debts with money that is worth less than when they borrowed it. In contrast, creditors are disadvantaged by inflation, as the value of the money they receive in repayment is worth less than the money they loaned out. Inflation can also have other effects, such as reducing the purchasing power of consumers, increasing uncertainty, and distorting economic decision-making.

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The use of the bank rate, cash ratio, and open market operations are tools used in monetary policy. Monetary policy is a set of actions taken by a country's central bank to manage the supply of money and credit in the economy to achieve specific economic goals, such as controlling inflation, stabilizing prices, and promoting economic growth. The bank rate is the interest rate at which commercial banks can borrow money from the central bank. When the central bank increases the bank rate, it becomes more expensive for commercial banks to borrow money, which reduces the amount of money in circulation in the economy. Conversely, when the central bank lowers the bank rate, it becomes cheaper for commercial banks to borrow money, which increases the amount of money in circulation in the economy. The cash ratio is the percentage of deposits that commercial banks are required to hold in reserve with the central bank. When the central bank increases the cash ratio, it reduces the amount of money that commercial banks have available to lend, which reduces the amount of money in circulation in the economy. Conversely, when the central bank lowers the cash ratio, it increases the amount of money that commercial banks have available to lend, which increases the amount of money in circulation in the economy. Open market operations refer to the buying and selling of government securities by the central bank in the open market. When the central bank buys government securities, it injects money into the economy, which increases the amount of money in circulation. Conversely, when the central bank sells government securities, it withdraws money from the economy, which reduces the amount of money in circulation. So, the use of bank rate, cash ratio, and open market operations are all tools used in monetary policy to manage the amount of money in circulation in the economy, with the aim of achieving specific economic goals.

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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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An important factor hindering the rapid development of the industrial sector in Nigeria is inadequate infrastructure facilities. This includes factors such as inadequate transportation systems, unreliable electricity supply, poor communication networks, and insufficient access to water and sanitation facilities. These factors can increase the cost of production, reduce productivity and efficiency, and make it difficult for industries to compete with other countries. The dominance of the oil sector has also been a significant factor, as it has led to a neglect of other sectors, including manufacturing and industry. Excessive demand for finished products and rural-urban migration may have some impact on industrial development but are not as significant as inadequate infrastructure and the dominance of the oil sector.

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Cooperative societies are primarily formed to promote and maintain the welfare of their members. This means that the members of a cooperative society come together to work towards achieving common goals that benefit everyone in the society. Cooperative societies are usually formed by a group of individuals who share a common interest, such as farming, housing, or credit. By working together, members can access resources that they may not have been able to on their own, such as bulk purchasing of materials, access to credit, or sharing of knowledge and skills. In a cooperative society, the focus is not on maximizing profits for individual members, but rather on achieving benefits that are shared by the entire group. By working together, members can create a sustainable and mutually beneficial organization that can help to address the needs of the community. Therefore, the main purpose of cooperative societies is to promote the welfare of members by providing a platform for collective action and collaboration.

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The factor that is not a cause of diminishing returns is "Technological innovations". Diminishing returns refers to the decrease in marginal output or production as more units of a variable input (such as labor or capital) are added to a fixed amount of other inputs (such as land or machinery). This occurs because the fixed inputs become increasingly scarce relative to the variable inputs, which can lead to inefficiencies and reduced productivity. The other three factors listed - an increase in variable inputs, land fragmentation, and constant technology - can all contribute to diminishing returns. For example, adding more workers to a fixed amount of land may lead to overcrowding and reduced productivity (land fragmentation). Similarly, if technology remains constant while more inputs are added, the additional inputs may not be fully utilized and may even become redundant. In contrast, technological innovations can actually help to overcome diminishing returns by allowing for more efficient use of inputs and increasing productivity. New technologies can improve the efficiency of production processes, reduce waste, and create new products or services, all of which can lead to increased output and economic growth.

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Economic goods are termed scarce when they are "not available in sufficient quantities to satisfy all wants for them." Scarce resources are those that have a limited supply relative to the demand for them. This scarcity means that choices must be made about how the resources are allocated, and that not all wants or needs can be fully satisfied. The concept of scarcity is fundamental to the study of economics, as it is the basis for understanding the concepts of opportunity cost, trade-offs, and efficiency.

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A greater burden of the taxes on essential goods is typically borne by the lower income group. This is because essential goods such as food, clothing, and shelter make up a larger proportion of the budget of low-income households than they do for high-income households. When taxes are applied to these goods, the cost of living increases proportionally for low-income households, putting a greater burden on their limited resources. In contrast, high-income households can more easily absorb the higher costs without significantly affecting their standard of living.

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The major role of multinational companies in the petroleum industry in Nigeria is oil prospecting. Multinational companies, also known as International Oil Companies (IOCs), play a significant role in the exploration and production of oil and gas in Nigeria. These companies invest heavily in the exploration of new oil fields, as well as the development and production of existing fields. While some IOCs are also involved in oil marketing and refining, their primary role in Nigeria is oil prospecting. The IOCs in Nigeria include major companies such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Total.

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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 ordinary partner in a partnership typically has unlimited liability in case of business failure. This means that they can be held personally liable for any debts or obligations of the business that are not satisfied by the assets of the partnership. This is a major disadvantage of a partnership, as it exposes the personal assets of the partners to the risk of loss in the event of business failure. While the extent of the involvement of the ordinary partner in the management of the business may vary, they are typically expected to take an active part in the management and decision-making of the partnership. As such, they cannot be said to take no active part in the management of the business. Furthermore, as a general rule, partners are jointly and severally liable for the actions of the partnership, which means that they can be sued personally on matters relating to the business. Limited liability, on the other hand, is a characteristic of some types of business entities such as limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations.

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Producers operating in a free market economy are more efficient as a result of the existence of competition. In a free market, businesses compete with each other for customers by offering better quality products, lower prices, or both. This competition forces producers to be efficient and innovative in order to remain competitive and attract customers. As a result, businesses are motivated to increase productivity, reduce waste, and improve their products and services to meet customer needs. The competition also leads to more choices for consumers and lower prices, as businesses strive to provide the best value for money. In contrast, if there were no competition, businesses would have less incentive to improve their operations, resulting in lower efficiency and higher prices for consumers.

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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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An iron rod cannot be classified as a natural resource. A natural resource is a material or substance that occurs naturally in the environment and can be used for economic gain. Natural resources can be classified into renewable and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources are those that can be replenished over time, such as solar energy, wildlife, and forests. Non-renewable resources are those that cannot be replenished, such as minerals and fossil fuels, including gold. An iron rod is not a natural resource because it is a manufactured item made from iron, which is a natural resource. The iron has been extracted from the earth and processed to make the rod, which is then used for various purposes. So, while the raw material (iron) may be a natural resource, the finished product (the iron rod) is not.

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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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Fixing the prices of agricultural products can be a problem because of the unpredictable output of farmers. Agricultural output can vary due to a variety of factors including weather, pests, disease, and other unpredictable factors. This variability can make it difficult to accurately predict the supply of agricultural products and set prices accordingly. While the instability of government policies, activities of marketing boards, and the size of agricultural exports can also have an impact on the pricing of agricultural products, the unpredictable output of farmers is a primary factor that can create challenges in setting prices. Instability of government policies can create uncertainty in the market, while the activities of marketing boards can sometimes lead to distortions in supply and demand. The size of agricultural exports can also influence prices by affecting the balance of supply and demand in domestic and international markets.

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Transfer payments refer to payments made by the government or other institutions to individuals or other entities, without receiving any goods or services in return. These payments are typically made for social welfare purposes or to redistribute income. An example of a transfer payment in national income accounting is unemployment allowance paid to citizens who are unemployed. The government pays these allowances to support individuals who are currently out of work and seeking employment. This payment is considered a transfer payment because the government is not receiving any goods or services in return for the funds provided. Transfer payments are not included in the calculation of GDP because they do not represent the production of goods or services. However, they are important in measuring the overall economic well-being of a society, particularly in terms of income distribution and social welfare.

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The point x inside the PPC (Production Possibility Curve) indicates that some of the resources in the economy are currently idle or not being fully utilized. This means that the economy is not producing at its maximum potential, and there is room for further growth and development. The PPC represents the different combinations of goods and services that an economy can produce given its limited resources and technology. The curve shows the maximum output that can be produced with the available resources and technology at a given point in time. Any point inside the curve represents a level of production that is below the maximum potential output, indicating that some resources are not being used to their full capacity. Therefore, if the economy is currently operating at a point inside the PPC, it has the potential to increase its production of goods and services by putting its idle resources to work. This could be achieved through measures such as increasing investment, improving technology, or providing more education and training to the workforce.

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If workers at the school canteen cannot sell during the holidays, this is an example of seasonal unemployment. This means that the workers are temporarily out of work due to changes in demand for their labor, in this case because the school is not in session. Seasonal unemployment is a common occurrence in industries that are heavily influenced by the time of year, such as agriculture, tourism, and retail. While the workers may have other employment options, they are currently without work due to the seasonality of the school canteen.

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To solve this problem, we need to first understand what a pie chart is and how it works. A pie chart is a circular graph that is divided into sectors, with each sector representing a proportion of the whole. The size of each sector is proportional to the quantity it represents, so we can use it to determine the percentage or fraction of the whole that each quantity represents.

In this case, the city's population is represented by 45 degrees of the pie chart. If we assume that the pie chart represents the entire country's population, which is 10 million people, then the fraction of the country's population represented by the city is:

45 degrees / 360 degrees = 1/8

This means that the city's population is 1/8 of the entire country's population. To find out the actual population of the city, we can multiply the fraction by the total population:

(1/8) x 10 million = 1.25 million

Therefore, the correct answer is 1.25 million.

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The advantage which firms obtain directly from expanding their operations are referred to as "internal economies of scale." Internal economies of scale occur when a firm's average cost of production decreases as it increases the scale of its operations. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as increased specialization of labor, greater use of capital equipment, or better purchasing power for inputs. Internal economies of scale enable a firm to become more efficient and competitive as it grows, which can result in higher profits and a stronger market position. The opposite of internal economies of scale is internal diseconomies of scale, which occur when the average cost of production increases as a firm becomes too large or complex to manage efficiently.

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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.