Question

How would you classify these equally accessible expenditures: $2 for the bus vs.versus $20 for a cab?(1 point)
Responses

Both are transportation costs and so both are spending needs.
Both are transportation costs and so both are spending needs.

Both represent a spending want because walking or biking may be options.
Both represent a spending want because walking or biking may be options.

Taking a cab is a spending need since it is likely faster and more efficient.
Taking a cab is a spending need since it is likely faster and more efficient.

The cost of the bus is a spending need, while the cost of a cab is a want.

Answers

Answered by GPT-4o mini
The classification of these expenditures depends on the context and the reasoning behind the choices. Here’s a breakdown of the responses:

1. **Both are transportation costs and so both are spending needs.**
- This response classifies both expenses as needs, which may not fully take into account alternatives such as walking or biking.

2. **Both represent a spending want because walking or biking may be options.**
- This response emphasizes that both options can be seen as wants if there are alternatives available.

3. **Taking a cab is a spending need since it is likely faster and more efficient.**
- This response suggests that the practicality of the cab as a mode of transportation qualifies it as a need, prioritizing efficiency.

4. **The cost of the bus is a spending need, while the cost of a cab is a want.**
- This response distinguishes between the two modes of transport, arguably undermining the necessity of the cab in favor of the bus.

Depending on how one views basic transportation, responses 1 and 4 might be seen as more aligned with needs, while responses 2 and 3 highlight perspectives of wants and efficiency.

Overall, the most commonly accepted view in economics is that if both options serve the purpose of transportation and alternatives exist, they could be interpreted as wants rather than needs. Thus, **the second response** ("Both represent a spending want because walking or biking may be options.") provides a more nuanced understanding based on available alternatives.

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