JAMB UTME - Economics - 2022

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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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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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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 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 term "Gross National Product (GNP) less the provision for the wear and tear of assets" refers to the Net National Product (NNP). The Net National Product (NNP) is a measure of the total economic output of a country, which takes into account the depreciation or wear and tear of the country's capital assets. Capital assets are things like buildings, machinery, and other long-term investments that contribute to a country's economic output. When we subtract the depreciation from the Gross National Product (GNP), which is the total value of goods and services produced by a country's residents, we arrive at the Net National Product (NNP). The reason we need to subtract depreciation from the GNP is that capital assets, such as buildings and machinery, wear out over time and lose value. If we didn't account for this loss of value, we would overestimate the country's economic output. For example, suppose the GNP of a country is $1 trillion, and the depreciation or wear and tear on its capital assets is $100 billion. In that case, the NNP of the country would be $900 billion ($1 trillion - $100 billion). In summary, the Net National Product (NNP) is the Gross National Product (GNP) minus the provision for the wear and tear of assets or depreciation. It gives us a more accurate measure of a country's economic output by accounting for the loss of value in capital assets over time.

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Statutory organizations usually established by Acts of parliament are called public corporations. A public corporation is a type of legal entity that is established by the government through legislation to perform a specific function or provide a particular service to the public. Public corporations can be formed at the national, state, or local level, and can take a variety of forms depending on their specific mandate. While public enterprises are also entities that are owned and controlled by the government, they may not necessarily be established by Acts of parliament. Cooperative societies are typically voluntary organizations formed by individuals or businesses to pool resources and share risks, while joint-stock companies are privately owned businesses that are established to generate profit for their shareholders.

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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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Palm oil and palm kernel are in joint supply. Joint supply refers to a situation in which two or more products are produced together as a result of a single production process. In the case of palm oil and palm kernel, both products are obtained from the same fruit of the oil palm tree. When the fruit is processed, it produces two distinct products: palm oil and palm kernel. Palm oil is obtained from the fleshy outer part of the fruit, while palm kernel is obtained from the inner seed or kernel. Since both products are obtained from the same production process, the quantity of one product that is produced is directly related to the quantity of the other product that is produced. As a result of being in joint supply, the prices of palm oil and palm kernel are interdependent. If the demand for one product increases, this will increase the supply of the other product, which can lower its price. For example, if the demand for palm oil increases, more oil palm fruit will be processed, leading to an increase in the supply of palm kernel and a potential decrease in its price. To summarize, palm oil and palm kernel are in joint supply because they are both obtained from the same production process and the quantity of one product produced is directly related to the quantity of the other product produced. The prices of both products are interdependent, and a change in demand for one product can affect the supply and price of the other product.

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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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A downward sloping demand curve means that as the price of a good decreases, the quantity demanded of that good increases. In other words, there is an inverse relationship between the price of a good and the quantity of that good demanded by consumers. This is the fundamental law of demand in economics.

As the price of a good decreases, consumers are more willing and able to purchase it, which leads to a higher quantity demanded. Conversely, as the price of a good increases, consumers are less willing and able to purchase it, which leads to a lower quantity demanded.

Therefore, the correct answer is - price must be lowered to sell more of the good. Total revenue may increase or decrease as the price changes depending on the magnitude of the change in price and quantity demanded.

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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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When the central bank increases the bank rate, it becomes more expensive for banks to borrow money from the central bank. This in turn causes interest rates on loans and mortgages offered by commercial banks to increase as well. As a result, people and businesses are less likely to take out loans, because they have to pay more in interest. So, borrowing is discouraged. On the other hand, banks are able to charge more for loans, so they can increase their profits. However, this increase in interest rates can also lead to a decrease in spending, which can slow down economic growth.

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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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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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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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Commercial banks and development banks serve different functions within the financial system. Commercial banks are focused on providing financial services to individuals and businesses, such as deposit accounts, loans, and credit cards. They generally lend on a short-term basis and deal in a variety of currencies, including foreign currencies. In contrast, development banks are focused on promoting economic development and supporting long-term projects that may not be attractive to commercial banks. They typically provide financing for large infrastructure projects, such as highways, railways, and power plants, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. Development banks may be government-owned, private, or a combination of both, and their main goal is to support economic growth and development. Development banks may also offer technical assistance and advisory services to help businesses and governments develop the skills and expertise needed to manage large-scale projects effectively. Unlike commercial banks, development banks may not pay interest on current accounts and may have different lending terms and requirements based on the specific needs of the project or business being financed.

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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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An example of commodity money is silver. Commodity money is a physical object that has intrinsic value in addition to its value as a medium of exchange. Historically, commodities such as gold and silver have been used as a form of money because they are scarce and have inherent value. For example, silver is used not only as money, but also for jewelry, silverware, and other industrial applications. In this way, its value is based on its usefulness in addition to its value as a medium of exchange. In contrast, modern forms of money, such as currency notes, mobile money, and cheques, are not commodities in and of themselves but represent a claim on goods and services.

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Wholesalers play an important role in the distribution of goods and services because they act as intermediaries between producers and retailers. Wholesalers buy goods in large quantities from producers and then sell them in smaller quantities to retailers. This enables producers to focus on their production process without worrying about marketing and distribution. On the other hand, retailers can buy smaller quantities of goods from wholesalers, which allows them to stock a variety of products without having to buy in bulk. Wholesalers also provide other important services, such as financing and logistics. They may provide credit to both producers and retailers, allowing them to manage their cash flow and invest in their businesses. Additionally, wholesalers can handle the transportation and storage of goods, which can be a complex and expensive task for smaller businesses. Therefore, wholesalers play a crucial role in the distribution process, providing valuable services and enabling the smooth flow of goods and services from producers to retailers, and ultimately to consumers.

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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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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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Even if a firm closes down, it will still incur some fixed costs. Fixed costs are expenses that must be paid regardless of the level of production or whether the business is operating or not. These costs include things like rent, insurance, salaries of employees on long-term contracts, and equipment leases. Variable costs, on the other hand, are expenses that vary depending on the level of production or business activity. For example, the cost of materials or labor directly related to producing goods or services. If the firm closes down, it will not incur variable costs because it will not be producing any goods or services. Total cost is the sum of fixed and variable costs, so if the firm is not producing anything, the total cost will be equal to the fixed cost. Marginal cost is the cost of producing one additional unit of a good or service. If the firm is closed down, there is no production, so there is no marginal cost.

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The concept of unemployment of labor is not emphasized in a product possibility curve. A product possibility curve is a graphical representation of the trade-off between two goods that an economy can produce, given its limited resources and technology. The curve shows the maximum combinations of the two goods that can be produced with the available resources, taking into account that some resources are better suited for producing one good over the other. The emphasis is on the scarcity of resources and the efficiency with which they are being used, not on the employment of labor.

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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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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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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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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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In the event of bankruptcy, owners of joint-stock companies (also known as shareholders) typically only lose the capital they have invested in the company. They do not lose their private properties or personal assets. When an individual buys shares in a joint-stock company, they become a partial owner of the company. As a shareholder, they are entitled to receive a share of the company's profits in the form of dividends. However, if the company goes bankrupt and cannot meet its financial obligations, the shareholders may lose the value of their investment, meaning the shares they hold in the company become worthless. Therefore, shareholders may lose the capital they invested in the company, but they are not responsible for any additional debts or liabilities the company may have. Shareholders are only liable to lose the value of their shares and do not have to worry about losing their personal assets or private properties.