Suppose that three volunteers are preparing cookies and cupcakes for a bake sale. Diana can make 27 cookies or 18 cupcakes per hour; andy can make 25 cookies or 17 cupcakes; and sam can make 10 cookies or 12 cupcakes.

Suppose that three volunteers are preparing cookies and cupcakes for a bake sale. Diana can make 27 cookies or 18 cupcakes per hour; Andy can make 25 cookies or 17 cupcakes; and Sam can make 10 cookies or 12 cupcakes.

a. Who has the absolute advantage at making cookies?

b. At making cupcakes?

we know that

Absolute advantage is about having greater productivity.

If you have an absolute advantage in the production of cupcakes or cookies, it means that you can produce more cupcakes or cookies in total with the same amount of resources than the others volunteers.

Part a) Who has the absolute advantage at making cookies?

we have that

Diana can make 27 cookies in an hour, whereas Andy can only make 25 and Sam can only make 10

so

Diana has the greater productivity making cookies

because

27 cookies > 25 cookies > 10 cookies

therefore

Diana has the absolute advantage at making cookies

Part b) Who has the absolute advantage at making cupcakes?

we have that

Diana can make 18 cupcakes in an hour, whereas Andy can only make 17 and Sam can only make 12

so

Diana has the greater productivity making cupcakes

because

18 cupcakes > 17 cupcakes > 12 cupcakes

therefore

Diana has the absolute advantage at making cupcakes