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What is the Basic Economic Problem in IGCSE? Learn About the 4 and 5 Basic Economic Problems, Factors of Production, and Opportunity Cost!

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Xin Ying Pua

08/12/2022

Economics

IGCSE ECONOMICS The Basic Economic Problem

What is the Basic Economic Problem in IGCSE? Learn About the 4 and 5 Basic Economic Problems, Factors of Production, and Opportunity Cost!

The basic economic problem arises from finite resources and unlimited wants, leading to scarcity. This summary explores the factors of production and the concept of opportunity cost in IGCSE Economics, providing key insights into how societies allocate resources and make economic decisions.

...

08/12/2022

898

the nature of the economic problem
the basic economic.
problem
fundamental economic problem finite resources + unlimited wants
resources inp

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Opportunity Cost and Production Possibility Curve

This section delves into the concept of opportunity cost and introduces the Production Possibility Curve PPCPPC as a tool for economic analysis.

Opportunity Cost

Definition: Opportunity cost is the next best alternative forgone or sacrificed in order to satisfy another choice.

Example: If a government chooses to build a hospital instead of a school, the school andtheeducationforchildrenand the education for children becomes the opportunity cost.

Understanding opportunity cost is essential for making informed economic decisions at both individual and societal levels.

Production Possibility Curve (PPC)

The PPC is a diagram that shows the maximum combination of two goods that can be produced by an economy with all available resources.

Highlight: The PPC illustrates the concept of opportunity cost and helps in understanding economic trade-offs.

Key points about the PPC:

  • Points on the curve represent maximum production efficiency.
  • Points inside the curve indicate inefficient production.
  • Points outside the curve are unattainable with current resources.

Factors causing an outward shift economicgrowtheconomic growth in the PPC include:

  • Discovering new raw materials
  • Employing new technology and production methods
  • Increasing the labor force

Factors causing an inward shift economicdeclineeconomic decline in the PPC include:

  • Natural disasters
  • Low investment in new technologies
  • Depletion of non-renewable resources

Example: Producing 500 units of Good X has an opportunity cost of 1000 units of Good Y on a given PPC.

Understanding the PPC and its shifts is crucial for analyzing how to solve basic economic problems and make efficient resource allocation decisions.

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Economics

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25 Jun 2025

2 pages

What is the Basic Economic Problem in IGCSE? Learn About the 4 and 5 Basic Economic Problems, Factors of Production, and Opportunity Cost!

The basic economic problem arises from finite resources and unlimited wants, leading to scarcity. This summary explores the factors of production and the concept of opportunity costin IGCSE Economics, providing key insights into how societies allocate resources and make... Show more

the nature of the economic problem
the basic economic.
problem
fundamental economic problem finite resources + unlimited wants
resources inp

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Opportunity Cost and Production Possibility Curve

This section delves into the concept of opportunity cost and introduces the Production Possibility Curve PPCPPC as a tool for economic analysis.

Opportunity Cost

Definition: Opportunity cost is the next best alternative forgone or sacrificed in order to satisfy another choice.

Example: If a government chooses to build a hospital instead of a school, the school andtheeducationforchildrenand the education for children becomes the opportunity cost.

Understanding opportunity cost is essential for making informed economic decisions at both individual and societal levels.

Production Possibility Curve (PPC)

The PPC is a diagram that shows the maximum combination of two goods that can be produced by an economy with all available resources.

Highlight: The PPC illustrates the concept of opportunity cost and helps in understanding economic trade-offs.

Key points about the PPC:

  • Points on the curve represent maximum production efficiency.
  • Points inside the curve indicate inefficient production.
  • Points outside the curve are unattainable with current resources.

Factors causing an outward shift economicgrowtheconomic growth in the PPC include:

  • Discovering new raw materials
  • Employing new technology and production methods
  • Increasing the labor force

Factors causing an inward shift economicdeclineeconomic decline in the PPC include:

  • Natural disasters
  • Low investment in new technologies
  • Depletion of non-renewable resources

Example: Producing 500 units of Good X has an opportunity cost of 1000 units of Good Y on a given PPC.

Understanding the PPC and its shifts is crucial for analyzing how to solve basic economic problems and make efficient resource allocation decisions.

the nature of the economic problem
the basic economic.
problem
fundamental economic problem finite resources + unlimited wants
resources inp

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Improve your grades

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The Nature of the Economic Problem

The fundamental economic problem stems from the scarcity of resources in the face of unlimited human wants. This section explores key economic concepts and the factors of production.

Definition: The basic economic problem is the conflict between finite resources and unlimited wants.

Resources are inputs required for the production of goods and services. Scarcity refers to the lack of resources to satisfy all wants.

Vocabulary: Economic goods are scarce in supply and can only be produced with an economic cost or consumed with a price.

Free goods, on the other hand, are abundant in supply and usually come from natural sources like air and sunlight.

Factors of Production

The factors of production in IGCSE economics are:

  1. Land: All natural resources in an economy, including lakes, forests, and climate. Land is geographically immobile but occupationally mobile.
  2. Capital: Man-made resources available in an economy, such as tools and machinery. The mobility of capital depends on its nature and use.
  3. Labour: All human resources available in an economy, including mental and physical efforts and skills of workers. Labour mobility depends on various factors like transport facilities and qualifications.
  4. Enterprise: The ability to take risks and carry out ideas. Entrepreneurs are both geographically and occupationally mobile.

Highlight: Understanding the factors of production and their rewards is crucial for analyzing economic systems and decision-making processes.

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Stefan S

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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

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Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

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