經濟為眼．商業為心．會計爲肢- 浪跡天涯

HKDSE Economics Section A

Scarcity

Brian So 商科課程系列

HKDSE Economics Section A

Pre F4 Econ – Scarcity

31.7.2012

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

程內容介紹

1. Basic Economic Concepts

- Economics as a social science
- Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost
- The three basic economic problems (Illustrations by examples only. All
theories on types of economics systems NOT required)
- Specialization and exchange
- Circular flow of economics activities

第一課 基本經濟學

為什麼我們要選擇﹖

無限欲望

+ = 稀少性 選擇 機會成本

有限資源

[01] What is Economics? 甚麽是經濟學?

Economics is the study of how people allocate limited resources to

satisfy their unlimited wants. 經濟是解除及推測人類的經濟行為
的一門科目，是一門研究人類如何分配有限資源以滿足無限欲望
的學科
圖 1.1 食物是人類的必須品
 經濟學是什麼﹖
 研究人類如何_______有限的資源來滿足無窮無盡欲望的科學
 可從兩個不同的層面研究：

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

個體經濟學 研究家庭或廠商如何有效運用資源以達最高效用
例：決定石油的價格、分配多少薪金於住屋上
總體經濟學 研究整個經濟體系的經濟效益
例：整個經濟的總生產量、有多少人失業

Multiple Choice Questions

|!|EM11001|!|
What is Economics?

A. It is a study of how people speculate in stock market.

B. It is a study of how politicians maximise their political interests.
C. It is a study of how the government improves the well-being of her citizens.
D. It is a study of how scarce resources are allocated to satisfy human wants.

##
D
It is a study of how people make choices under scarcity.
##

|!|EM11002|!|
Which of the following is included in the study of microeconomics?

A. The problem of inflation in Hong Kong.

B. The pricing decisions made by firms.
C. The problem of unemployment during recession.
D. The impact of revaluation of Renminbi on Hong Kong.

##
B
Microeconomics is a study about the behaviours of individuals and firms (e.g. the pricing
behaviour mentioned in option B). Options A, C and D should be included in the study of
macroeconomics, which analyses the operation of the economy as a whole.

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

##

|!|EM11003|!|
Which of the following is NOT included in the study of microeconomics?

A. how the price war among supermarkets affects individuals

B. how the spread of bird flu affects the market of fresh chicken
C. how an increase in money supply affects the economy
D. how a change in income level affects people’s consumption behaviour

##
C
Microeconomics analyses the behaviours of individuals and firms while macroeconomics
analyses the operation of the economy as a whole. An increase in money supply affects the
economy as a whole, so it is included in the study of macroeconomics.
##

|!|EM11004|!|
Which of the following is included in the study of macroeconomics?

A. the consumption decisions made by individuals

B. the production decisions made by firms
C. the pricing decisions made by tunnel companies
D. the decision of printing more money made by the government

##
D
Macroeconomics analyses the operation of the economy as a whole. Printing more money
affects the economy as a whole.
##

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

|!|EM11005|!|
Which of the followings is NOT included in the study of macroeconomics?

A. how the public assistance policies carried out by the government affect the economy
B. how the bad weather affects the price of wheat
C. how an increase in government expenditure affects the unemployment rate
D. how the policies implemented by the government affect the economic growth of the
economy

##
B
Macroeconomics analyses the operation of the economy as a whole. The impact of the bad
weather on the price of wheat is about the market of one good only (the wheat market), so it is
included in the study of microeconomics.
##

[02] Why there is Scarcity? 為什麼會出現稀少性?

A. Wants 欲望
Human wants which can be tangible or
intangible are unlimited desires 人類欲
望是一種無限的渴求，可以是有形的
或焦形的

圖 1.2 人類的欲望

 Subjective, persistent 主觀的，持續不斷的

 有能力滿足的欲望是欲望
 沒有能力滿足的欲望同樣是欲望
例：一個乞丐雖然身無分文，但他想擁有一艘遊艇，欲望已經存在

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

classwork
Which of the following statements about wants is correct?

A. Abstract desire is a kind of wants.

B. Rich people have fewer wants.
C. The source of wants is insufficient resources.
D. When human wants are satisfied, the problem of scarcity no longer
exists.
1

|!|EM11006|!|
Which of the following statements is CORRECT?
A. Wants arise because scarce resources are unevenly distributed.
B. Wants do not have to be supported by purchasing power.
C. Wants exist because of scarcity.
D. Wants are the same as demand.

##
B
Wants are human desires. A person can still want a good even when he or she is not able to
pay for it.
##

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

B. Resources 資源
Resources are limited in supply, but not fixed. 資源的供給有限但不固定

There are three types of resources: 現實中有三種資源

Natural resources Human resources Man-made resources
天然資源 人力資源 人造資源

圖 1.3 瀑布 圖 1.4 人力資源 1.5 水晶

圖 1.6 交易 圖 1.7 香車美人

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

「資源」是用來生產物品或提供服務，藉以
滿足人類的欲望。
1. 天然資源：如土地、礦物和原油
2. 人力資源：如人類的勞力和智力
3. 人造資源：如機械和工具

資源的供給是________的，並不足以生產人
類全部想要的物品

圖 1.8 資源

C. Scarcity 稀少性
1. We want more than we have 我們希望得到多過我們擁有的
2. Scarcity is a relative concept. 稀少性是一個相對的概念
3.P=0, Qd > Qs

問：一般情況下，水有稀少性的問題嗎?

答：水在地球上的存量是有限的，在一般情況下，人們並不想要更多的水，
水的存量相對於人們所想要的，是充足無缺，所以稀少性的問題並不
存在

問：在沙漠裡，水有稀少性的問題嗎?

答：但在沙漠的地方，水的存量相對人們所想要的便變得異常短缺，稀
少性問題出現

4. Scarcity is a state when resources are not sufficient to satisfy all human wants.
稀少性是指資源不足以滿足人類所有欲望的狀態

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

Scarcity Limited or fixed supply

=
稀少性 有限的供給和固定供給

Wants increase persistently; resources are not meet all our wants. 由於現在的資源
不足以生產足夠的物品未滿足所有的慾望,所以便有資源稀少性的問題。

Classwork
What is scarcity?

A. Resources on Earth are insufficient.

B. People want money.
C. People have unlimited wants of everything.
D. Resources are insufficient to satisfy everybody’s wants.
4

人類與生俱來便有慾望，滿足各種需要。慾望分為物質和心理兩種。物質包括
衣食住行各方面; 心理上包括快樂、愛情和關心等。慾望會隨時間增加，所有
人都面對稀少的問題。

Classwork
Which of the following statements about scarcity is INCORRECT?

A. Scarcity exists in all societies.

B. The source of scarcity is unlimited human wants.
C. Scarcity forces people to make choices.
D. If the quantity of a resource is sufficient to satisfy human wants,
scarcity will not exist.
2

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

Classwork
Andy said, ‘Mike’ releases 1 000 pairs of limited edition
sports shoes worldwide. Since the quantity is very small,
scarcity occurs.’ Do you agree with Andy? Explain your
answer. (3 marks)

Wants increase persistently; resources are not meet all our wants.

Many people treat economics as a dismal science because economists had to face
with the scarcity of resources all the time. As a result, we have a certain degree of
limitation imposed by the nature.

John M. Keynes, " the theory of economics does not furnish a body of settled
conclusions immediately applicable to policy. It is a method rather than a doctrine,
an apparatus of the mind , a technique of thinking which helps its possessor to draw
correct conclusions. "

Paul Heyne, " I want beginning students to master a concept that will help them
think more coherently and consistently about the wide range of social problems that
economic theory illuminates ..... the principle of economics must therefore be taught
as tools of analysis. "

Alchian & Allen, " economics enables a more accurate inquiry into how our
behavior is influenced by the kind of economic system we have. "

|!|EM11008|!|
Which of the following about scarcity is CORRECT?

A. Only poor people face scarcity.

B. Scarcity exists because human wants are limited.
C. Scarcity exists because the supply of resources is fixed.
D. People have to make choice because of scarcity.

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

##
D
Scarcity refers to the situation in which the resources available are not enough to satisfy all
people’s wants. Therefore, people have to choose which wants to satisfy and which wants to
give up.
##

|!|EM11009|!|
Competition exists because of

A. limited resources.
B. unlimited wants.
C. scarcity.
D. discrimination.

##
C
Scarcity exists when resources or goods are not enough to satisfy all people’s wants. Under
scarcity, people have to compete against each other for the resources or goods.
##

|!|EM11010|!|
The existence of scarcity implies that

(1) the supply of resources is limited.

(2) choices have to be made.
(3) competition for goods is inevitable.

A. (1) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
##
C

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

When there is scarcity, people cannot satisfy all their wants with the limited resources
available and they have to choose which wants to satisfy and which wants to give up. Also,
since the resources or goods are not enough to satisfy all people’s wants, people need to
compete against each other for them.
##

[03] Choice 選擇

resources cannot satisfy 所以每一個人都需要

our wants 選擇
由於資源不足以滿足 everyone have to make
我們的欲望 choice

classwork
Every year, some local charities distribute free ‘good luck rice’ to the public during the
Yue Lan Festival（盂蘭節）. Many elderly people are attracted to queue for it. This
implies that

(1)the rice is scarce.

(2)obtaining the ‘good luck rice’ incurs opportunity cost.
(3)competition exists.

A. (1) and (2) only B.(1) and (3) only

C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

 「選擇」是稀少性的結果。
 有限的資源不足以滿足我們無窮無盡的欲望
 必須在眾多的欲望中作出_______和選擇，以
決定先行滿足哪些欲望

According to their own preference, choose the goods

and services that can give them the greatest 圖 1.9 選擇的出現
satisfaction. 人們會根據自己的喜好作出選擇, 選
擇那些帶給他們最有滿足感的物品和服務

圖 1.10 面對同的飲品，我們便
要選擇

|!|EM11011|!|
Which of the following statements about choice is INCORRECT?

A. The rich have to make choices.

B. No choice has to be made if there is no scarcity.
C. People choose the option which has the lowest opportunity cost.
D. When there is no price competition, people do not need to make choice.

##D
Even when there is no price competition, there may be other forms of non-price competition.
Whenever the goods are scarce, competition and choices are inevitable.
##

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

1 Which of the following statements about wants is correct?

2
E. Abstract desire is a kind of wants.
F. Rich people have fewer wants.
G. The source of wants is insufficient resources.
H. When human wants are satisfied, the problem of scarcity no longer exists.

3 What is scarcity?
4
E. Resources on Earth are insufficient.
F. People want money.
G. People have unlimited wants of everything.
H. Resources are insufficient to satisfy everybody’s wants.

3 Which of the following statements about scarcity is INCORRECT?

E. Scarcity exists in all societies.

F. The source of scarcity is unlimited human wants.
G. Scarcity forces people to make choices.
H. If the quantity of a resource is sufficient to satisfy human wants, scarcity will not
exist.

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

19 Every year, some local charities distribute free ‘good luck rice’ to the public during the
Yue Lan Festival（盂蘭節）. Many elderly people are attracted to queue for it. This
implies that

(1) the rice is scarce.

(2) obtaining the ‘good luck rice’ incurs opportunity cost.
(3) competition exists.

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

1. Which of the following is incorrect?

A. Because of scarcity, we have to make choices.

B. Choices imply scarcity.
C. The wealthiest man in the world need not make choices.
D. If there are no options to choose from, there will be no cost.

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

Short Questions
|!|ES11001|!|
(a) Define scarcity. (2 marks)
(b) “If the demand for a good is very small, it cannot be scarce.” Do you agree? Explain. (3
marks)

##
(a) Scarcity refers to the situation in which the resources available are not enough to satisfy
all people’s wants. (2 marks)
(b) No. (1 mark)
Although the demand for the good is very small, the quantity available may be
insufficient to satisfy all human wants. (2 marks)
##

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

Short Questions
|!|ES11001|!|
(a) Define scarcity. (2 marks)
(b) “If the demand for a good is very small, it cannot be scarce.” Do you agree? Explain. (3
marks)

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

|!|ES11002|!|
“If the government allocates goods and services to citizens equally, the problem of scarcity
does not exist.” Do you agree? Explain. (3 marks)

##
No. (1 mark)
Scarcity refers to the situation in which the resources available are not enough to satisfy all
people’s wants. (1 mark)
Even when goods and services are equally distributed among citizens, resources are still
insufficient to satisfy all human wants. There is still scarcity. (1 mark)
##

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

|!|ES11002|!|
“If the government allocates goods and services to citizens equally, the problem of scarcity
does not exist.” Do you agree? Explain. (3 marks)

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Scarcity

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HKDSE Economics Section A
Scarcity

|!|ES11003|!|
(a) What is scarcity? (2 marks)
(b) “If the supply of a good is limited, it must be scarce.” Comment on the statement. (4
marks)
##
(a) Scarcity refers to the situation in which the resources available are not enough to satisfy
all people’s wants. (2 marks)
(b) If the quantity of a good available is not sufficient to satisfy all human wants, it is a
scarce good. If the quantity of a good available is sufficient to satisfy all human wants, it
is not a scarce good.
(2 marks)
Whether the supply of a resource is limited or not, it is scarce when it is not enough to
satisfy all people’s wants. On the other hand, even if a resource is limited in supply, it
may not be scarce if it is enough to satisfy all people’s wants. (2 marks)

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##
|!|ES11003|!|
(a) What is scarcity? (2 marks)
(b) “If the supply of a good is limited, it must be scarce.” Comment on the statement. (4
marks)

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[04] Conclusion
Source of economic problems:

Wants Resources
- They refer to all kinds of human - They include natural resources,
__desires______ which are man-made resources and human
__unlimited________. resources.
- They are _limited______ in
supply.

Scarcity
- It is a __relative_______ concept.
- A resource is said to be scarce when the
quantity available is not enough to satisfy
human wants.

Choice
We study Economics to decide how we
allocate limited resources to satisfy our
unlimited wants.

Opportunity Cost
- We have to bear a cost in making choices.
- Cost is the highest- valued option forgone .
- Cost will change if there is a change in the highest-valued
option forgone.
- Cost will not change if there is a change in the value of the
chosen option
- Cost will not change if there is a change in the options
other than the highest-valued option forgone.

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Honework
01SQ02 尚偉是某中學的學生會主席。除了應付功課及考試外，他還要處理學生會會務，以致
經常睡眠不足。試以稀少性的概念，解釋為甚麼尚偉會經常睡眠不足。 (3 分)

‧ 尚偉正面對稀少性的問題。 1
‧ 因為有限的時間不足以讓尚偉實現他的各種慾望（應付功課及考試、處理學生會
會務、擁有充足的睡眠）。 2

01SQ02 尚偉是某中學的學生會主席。除了應付功課及考試外，他還要處理學生會
會務，以致經常睡眠不足。試以稀少性的概念，解釋為甚麼尚偉會經常睡
眠不足。 (3 分)

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HKDSE Economics Section A
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著作

So Sir 可以啟發你的思考

此教材的版權屬於速成凱利教育，現授權 Brian So 於校內上課使用，並需配合現場授

課。本筆記不可以任何形式公開發售或網上拍賣。如未獲速成凱利教育同意，不得以任
何方式仿製、節錄或翻印本筆記任何部份。非法翻印者包括印刷商及坊間影印店均有機
會遭受檢控。本筆記所用之部份資料因來源難以確定，以致可能觸犯他人版權，在此謹
致歉意，並敬請有關人士賜教及通知，俾能作出適當的安排。本筆記仍在修訂中，歡迎
指教，並將意見電郵至 brianso2011@gmail.com 或傳真至 3011 6158，務求盡善盡美。

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Brian So So Sir 自小立志成為跨國企業家，並以

李嘉誠先生為偶像。於中學時期，So Sir
已醉心研究商學三科：經濟、商業、會
計。於中六時，他更以自修生名義報考
HKCEE Principles of Accounts 及
Commerce，並考獲優良成績。So Sir 技
術性撃倒公開試，可見他對於應考公開
試有其獨到之方法及心得。

So Sir 於大學本科修讀工商管理(榮譽)
HKDSE BAFS 及經濟科補習導師 學士學位時，已自資開班教授會計及
GCE/IGCSE 會計、經濟及企業科導師 經濟兩科，教學經濟長達 13 年，可見
MBA 財務管理科導師 其經驗之豐富。

香港 德高地產有限公司 執行董事 So Sir 曾於香港最頂尖會計學校，香港

速成凱利教育 行政總裁 商專及保良局莊啟程，任教 HKALE、
LCCI 及 HKIAAT 會計課程，於一年內學
註冊教師 227911 生人次高達 480 人。So Sir 之學生更曾
註冊地產營業員 E-325326 於 2006 年英國倫敦工商總會公開考試
第三級(LCC & I Level 3)(IAS)考獲全球
熱愛三國志 及 全 港 考 試 第 一 名 (The Gold
企業管理哲學博士生 Medallion)，可謂名師出高徒。
LCCI 會計教科書作者
雖然 So Sir 於眾多博士生級商科老師
目標﹕ 中屬較年青一輩，但實力上絕不比他人
香港童軍總監 遜色。以年青的資歷而考進研究院，修
十大傑出青年 讀企業管理哲學博士，同時亦為多間公
中港兩地上市公司主席 司的培訓及營銷董事，集理論與實踐於
商場中的韋小寶 一身，實力可見一班！

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