Suppose that two people, Mary and John each live alone in an isolated region. They each have the same resources available, and they grow corn and raise pigs. If Mary devotes all her resources to growing corn, she can raise 200 pounds of corn per year. If she devotes all her resources to raising pigs, she can raise 50 pigs per year. 

If John devotes all his resources to growing corn, he can raise 80 pounds of corn per year. If he devotes all his resources to raising pigs, he can raise 40 pigs per year. 

Corn  Pigs 

Mary  200  50 

John  80  40 

What is Mary’s opportunity cost of producing corn? 

 What is Mary’s opportunity cost of producing pigs? 

 What is John’ opportunity cost of producing corn? 

What is John’ opportunity cost of producing pigs? 

Which person has an absolute advantage in both activities? 

 Which person has comparative advantage in corn? 

Suppose that they are thinking of each specializing completely in the area in which they have a comparative advantage, and then trading at a rate of 2.5 pounds of corn for 1 pig, would they each be better off?

Explain. How would you extend the above narrative to businesses, society as a whole or nations? Explain.