WAEC Economics Past Questions & Answers - Page 40

196.

When an increase in inputs leads to a more than proportionate increase in output, there is

A.

Decreasing returns to scale

B.

Increase in marginal product

C.

Increasing retums to scale

D.

Constant retums to scale

Correct answer is C

Increasing returns to scale happens when the output increases in a greater proportion than the increase in input.

197.

What happens when a minimum price is imposed in a market?

A.

Shortage occurs

B.

Surplus occurs

C.

Market maintains its equilibrium

D.

Many firms will close down

Correct answer is B

A minimum price is when the government doesn't allow prices to go below a certain level. At this point, suppliers will be willing to supply more in the market because they are certain to sell above a particular price. This will lead to a surplus in the market. 

The minimum price policy has been used in agriculture to increase farmer's income. 

198.

When the price of a good is above the equilibrium, there will be

A.

A shortage

B.

A surplus.

C.

Unemployment

D.

Inflation

Correct answer is B

If the price of a good is above equilibrium, this means that the quantity of the good supplied exceeds the quantity of the good demanded. There is a surplus of the goods on the market.

199.

Two commodities X and Y are in joint supply when

A.

X is a by-product of Y

B.

X and Y are produced by the same firm

C.

Increase in the quantity of X leads to a decrease in Y

D.

X and Y cannot be produced in the same process

Correct answer is B

No explanation has been provided for this answer.

200.

Supply of agricultural products is likely to be elastic in the

A.

Intermediate period

B.

Long-run

C.

Market period

D.

Short-run

Correct answer is B

The elasticity of supply measures how changes in prices would affect supply. The supply of agricultural products is most likely to be elastic in the long run, (a period of time where all factors of production and costs are variable). This means that in the long run, the cost of farm inputs and factors of production used in farming would be subject to change, and farmers cannot as a matter of fact place a fixed cost on their estimated expenses.