JAMB Economics Past Questions & Answers - Page 180

896.

If commodity X is a by-product of commodity Y, this implies that both commodities are

A.

In competitive supply

B.

In composite supply

C.

Jointly supplied

D.

In excess supply

Correct answer is B

When the process of making one thing results in a second product as well, that second thing is called a byproduct. Example, the production of computer systems, require a software to function, hence would be jointly supplied.

Composite Supply is one where 2 or more goods or services are supplied together. 

897.

If the coefficient of price elasticity of supply is greater than one, the supply is said to be

A.

Perfectly elastic

B.

Fairly inelastic

C.

Infinitely inelastic

D.

Fairly elastic

Correct answer is D

If a price elasticity of supply is greater than 1, it means supply is relatively or fairly elastic.

898.

A set of factors that can shift the supply curve are changes in

A.

Weather, price and technology

B.

Technology, weather and population

C.

Technology, price and taste

D.

Population, price and taste

Correct answer is B

A shift in the supply curve is brought about by a change in supply. Changes in production cost and related factors can cause an entire supply curve to shift right or left.

A supply curve will shift to the right when there is an increase in the change in supply, and it will shift to the left when there is a decrease in the change in supply.

Some of the factors that may cause a supplier to be unable to supply to the market include;

- changes in the costs of production.
- changes in technology.
- population size.
- government taxes/subsidies/regulations.
- weather conditions.
- wars/disaster

899.

If a consumer plans to spend 120k on four oranges but spent 80k, his consumer surplus is

A.

N1.50

B.

N0.40

C.

N1.00

D.

N2.00

Correct answer is B

Consumer Surplus is the difference between the price that consumers pay and the price that they are willing to pay. 

consumer surplus = 120 - 80 = 40

900.

The law of diminishing marginal utility explains why

A.

The slope of a normal demand curve is negative

B.

An abnormal demand curve slopes upwards

C.

The slope of a normal demand curve is positive

D.

The consumption of inferior goods increases with income

Correct answer is A

In economics, the law of diminishing marginal utility states that the marginal utility of a good or service declines as its supply increases.

The law of diminishing marginal utility helps to explain the negative slope of the demand curve and the law of demand. If the satisfaction obtained from a good declines, then buyers are willing to pay a lower price, hence demand price is inversely related to quantity demanded, which is the law of demand.