EXERCISE 1.3 WHAT SHOULD WE MEASURE? While campaigning for the US presidency on 18 March 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy gave a famous speech questioning ‘the mere accumulation of material things’ in American society, and why, among other things, air pollution, cigarette advertising and jails were counted when the US measured its living standards, but health, education or devotion to your country were not. He argued that ‘it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.’ Read his speech in full or listen to a sound recording of it. In the full text, which goods does he list as being included in a measure of GDP? Do you think these should be included in such a measure, and why? Which goods does he list in the full text as missing from the measure? Do you think they should be included, and why?

2. the language of price controls consider the market for rental cars. suppose that, in a competitive market without government regulations, the equilibrium price of rental cars is $58 per day, and employees at car rental companies earn $19.50 per hour. complete the following table by indicating whether each of the statements is an example of a price ceiling or a price floor and whether it results in a shortage or a surplus or has no effect on the price and quantity that prevail in the market. statement price control effect there are many teenagers who would like to work at car rental companies, but the minimum-wage law sets the hourly wage at $23.00. the government has instituted a legal minimum price of $87 per day for rental cars. the government prohibits car rental companies from renting out rental cars for more than $87 per day.

Lynch company manufactures and sells a single product. the following costs were incurred during the company’s first year of operations: variable costs per unit: manufacturing: direct materials $ 12 direct labor $ 6 variable manufacturing overhead $ 1 variable selling and administrative $ 1 fixed costs per year: fixed manufacturing overhead $ 308,000 fixed selling and administrative $ 218,000 during the year, the company produced 28,000 units and sold 15,000 units. the selling price of the company’s product is $56 per unit. required: 1. assume that the company uses absorption costing: a. compute the unit product cost. b. prepare an income statement for the year. 2. assume that the company uses variable costing: a. compute the unit product cost. b. prepare an income statement for the year.

Which of the following is an example of search costs? a.) driving to a faraway place to find available goods b.) buying goods in some special way that is outside the normal channels c.) paying a premium cost for goods d.) selling extra goods for a discount price