Two men, Robinson Crusoe and Friday, have been marooned separately on the same deserted island. There are two activities each man can undertake to obtain food: fishing and gathering coconuts. Robinson Crusoe can catch 40 fish per hour or gather 10 coconuts per hour. Friday can catch 10 fish per hour or gather 8 coconuts per hour. Answer the following questions: A. Who is more efficient in each activity? Could either or both of them benefit from meeting and deciding to form a trading relationship? Explain intuitively. B. Robinson and Friday have not yet met. Robinson is working 2 hours a day and producing (and consuming) 48 fish and 8 coconuts (note: the fish are very small). Friday is also working 2 hours a day, but he is producing and consuming 15 fish and 4 coconuts. Now assume that Robinson and Friday meet and develop a trading relationship. Come up with a production and trading scheme such that they can each work the same amount per day as before, but each is better off than before. Provide specific numbers to show how they are better off.

Economics For Today
10th Edition
ISBN:9781337613040
Author:Tucker
Publisher:Tucker
Chapter2: Productions Possibilities, Opportunity Costs, And Economic Growth
Section: Chapter Questions
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  1. Two men, Robinson Crusoe and Friday, have been marooned separately on the same deserted island.  There are two activities each man can undertake to obtain food:  fishing and gathering coconuts.  Robinson Crusoe can catch 40 fish per hour or gather 10 coconuts per hour. Friday can catch 10 fish per hour or gather 8 coconuts per hour. 

Answer the following questions:

A. Who is more efficient in each activity?  Could either or both of them benefit from meeting and deciding to form a trading relationship? 

Explain intuitively.

B. Robinson and Friday have not yet met.  Robinson is working 2 hours a day and producing (and consuming) 48 fish and 8 coconuts (note:  the fish are very small).  Friday is also working 2 hours a day, but he is producing and consuming 15 fish and 4 coconuts.  Now assume that Robinson and Friday meet and develop a trading relationship. 

Come up with a production and trading scheme such that they can each work the same amount per day as before, but each is better off than before.  Provide specific numbers to show how they are better off.

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