To determine who has the comparative advantage in car washing and lawn mowing between Mateo and Sophia, we need to compare their opportunity costs for each task.
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Define opportunity cost: The opportunity cost of performing a task is what you give up to perform that task. Each person must give up some alternative activity to carry out washing or mowing.
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Get data: You'll need specific data to conclude who has the comparative advantage. However, let's say:
- If Mateo can wash 4 cars in an hour and can mow 2 lawns in the same time, his opportunity cost of washing one car is 1/2 of a lawn.
- If Sophia can wash 2 cars in an hour and can mow 4 lawns in the same time, her opportunity cost of washing one car is 2 lawns.
From this made-up data:
- Mateo has a much lower opportunity cost for washing cars (1/2 lawn) compared to Sophia (2 lawns). Thus, Mateo has a comparative advantage in washing cars.
- Conversely, Sophia can mow 1 lawn for every 1/2 car she washes, while Mateo's opportunity cost for mowing (2 cars) is higher. Therefore, Sophia has a comparative advantage in mowing.
So based on this example, the answer would be: c. Mateo in washing, Sophia in mowing.
However, make sure you apply actual data if different to reach your conclusion.
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