Table 3-6
Assume that Zimbabwe and Portugal can switch between producing toothbrushes and producing hairbrushes at a constant rate.
-Refer to Table 3-6. Assume that Zimbabwe and Portugal each has 180 machine minutes available. If each country divides its time equally between the production of toothbrushes and hairbrushes, then total production is
A)24 toothbrushes and 12 hairbrushes.
B)48 toothbrushes and 24 hairbrushes.
C)96 toothbrushes and 48 hairbrushes.
D)720 toothbrushes and 1440 hairbrushes.

Question

Table 3-6
Assume that Zimbabwe and Portugal can switch between producing toothbrushes and producing hairbrushes at a constant rate. 
-Refer to Table 3-6. Assume that Zimbabwe and Portugal each has 180 machine minutes available. If each country divides its time equally between the production of toothbrushes and hairbrushes, then total production is
A)24 toothbrushes and 12 hairbrushes. 
B)48 toothbrushes and 24 hairbrushes. 
C)96 toothbrushes and 48 hairbrushes. 
D)720 toothbrushes and 1440 hairbrushes.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since each country has 180 machine minutes available, and they are dividing their time equally between the production of toothbrushes and hairbrushes, each country has 90 machine minutes per product. 
For Zimbabwe, producing one toothbrush takes 3 machine minutes, and producing one hairbrush takes 6 machine minutes. 
For Portugal, producing one toothbrush takes 4 machine minutes, and producing one hairbrush takes 3 machine minutes. 
Therefore, Zimbabwe can produce 30 toothbrushes (90/3) and 15 hairbrushes (90/6), while Portugal can produce 22.5 toothbrushes (90/4) and 30 hairbrushes (90/3). 
Total production is 52.5 toothbrushes and 45 hairbrushes. 
Multiplying by 2 (since each country is producing both products), we get a total production of 105 toothbrushes and 90 hairbrushes, which is closest to option B.

Table 3-6 Assume That Zimbabwe and Portugal Can Switch Between Producing Toothbrushes