Specialization and the Gains from Exchange

Self-sufficiency is a poor plan

Trade moves consumption past production

Trade works like a technology

The pattern in the world

Ana produces 6 bushels of wheat or 3 bolts of cloth per day and Ben produces 1 bushel of wheat or 2 bolts of cloth per day. If Ana spends her days only on wheat and Ben only on cloth, what is their combined daily output, compared with their combined output of 4.5 bushels and 2 bolts when each split their time?

After specializing, Ana has 6 wheat and Ben has 2 cloth, and they trade 1 bolt of cloth for 1.5 bushels of wheat. Ana's own frontier says 1 bolt costs her 2 bushels, and Ben's says 1 bushel costs him 2 bolts. Which statement is right?

Two bakers share an oven. Alone and splitting time, they produce 40 croissants and 30 bagels per morning. After sorting tasks by comparative advantage, they produce 55 croissants and 30 bagels. Compute the total gain in pastries per morning and write the number.

Tal can paint 6 rooms or hang 12 shelves per day, and Nuus can paint 6 rooms or hang 6 shelves per day. Both now split their time half and half. What does full specialization by comparative advantage deliver?

After specializing, Tal and Nuus trade shelves for room-painting services. Which statement best describes what trade has done?

Under half-and-half time allocation Tal and Nuus together hang 9 shelves per day, while full specialization by comparative advantage raises shelf output to Tal's maximum. Compute the daily gain in shelves, and write the number.