The following table gives hypothetical annual total costs and total benefits of maintaining alternative populations of Asian elephants.

a. Calculate the marginal costs and benefits, and draw marginalbenefit and cost schedules.

b. Given the data, what is the socially optimal world population of Asian elephants?

c. Suppose that two events occur simultaneously. Technological development allows machines to do more efficiently much of the work that elephants once did, which reduces by \(10million the marginal benefit of maintaining the elephant population for each 7500increment in the elephant population. In addition, new techniques for breeding, feeding, and protecting elephants reduce the marginal cost by\)40million for each 7500increment in the elephant population. What is the new socially optimal population of Asian elephants?

Short Answer

Expert verified

For part a, we have the equilibrium where marginal cost equals marginal benefit at population 30000.

For part b, The optimal point is at30000elephants.

For part c, 37500elephants would be the new ideal point.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1:Given Information(Part a)

In the above given table, we have values on population of Asian elephants , total cost and total benefits and in the question, we are asked to find the marginal costs and benefits and draw graph

02

Step 2:Calulating marginal costs and marginal benefits (Part a) 

Subtracting the preceding cost or benefit yields the marginal cost or benefit.

As illustrated below, calculate the marginal cost and marginal benefit:

03

Step 3:Answer(Part a)

The table below displays the marginal cost and benefit of Asian elephant conservation.

04

Step 4:Graph(Part a)

A graph depicting the marginal cost and benefit:

05

Step 1:Given Information(Part b)

Here , we are asked to find the socially optimal world population of asian elephants.

06

Step 2:Explanation(Part b)

The optimal point is where the marginal cost and marginal benefit are equal. When the marginal benefit and cost are equal to 25, this happens with30000 elephants.

07

Step 1:Given Information(Part c)

we are asked to find the new socially optimal population of asian elephants when there is a reduction by $10million the marginal benefit of maintaining the elephant population for each 7,500increment in the elephant population. and by$40million for each 7,500increment in the elephant population due to new techniques for breeding, feeding, and protecting elephants .

08

Step 2:Explanation(Part c)

If the benefit is reduced by $10million and the marginal cost is reduced by$40million for each 7500elephants, the marginal benefit and marginal cost would be:

09

Step 3:Answer(Part c)

37500elephants would be the new ideal point.

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