Introduction to Business EconomicsMTP Nov 22Question 612 of 209
All Questions

An example of 'positive' economic analysis would be:

Options

Aan analysis of the relationship between the price of food and the quantity purchased.
Bdetermining how much income each person should be guaranteed.
Cdetermining the 'fair' price for food.
Ddeciding how to distribute the output of the economy
For any discrepancies in this question, email contact@cadada.in

Correct Answer

Option aan analysis of the relationship between the price of food and the quantity purchased.

All Options:

  • Aan analysis of the relationship between the price of food and the quantity purchased.
  • Bdetermining how much income each person should be guaranteed.
  • Cdetermining the 'fair' price for food.
  • Ddeciding how to distribute the output of the economy

Detailed Solution & Explanation

• Positive economic analysis focuses on describing and explaining economic phenomena as they are, based on facts and cause-and-effect relationships. It deals with "what is" or "what will be." • Option (A) is correct because it describes a factual relationship: how a change in the price of food (cause) affects the quantity of food people buy (effect). This is an objective, testable statement that can be verified or refuted by observing market data. It doesn't involve value judgments. • This aligns with the definition of positive economics, which aims to understand how the economy works without making recommendations or expressing opinions about what should be. • Option (B) and (C) are incorrect because they involve normative statements. Normative economics deals with "what ought to be" or "what should be," incorporating value judgments and opinions. "How much income each person should be guaranteed" (B) and "determining the 'fair' price for food" (C) both require subjective judgments about fairness, equity, or desirability, rather than objective analysis. • Similarly, Option (D) "deciding how to distribute the output of the economy" is also a normative question, as it involves making choices based on societal values about equity and resource allocation, rather than simply describing an existing economic relationship.

About This Chapter: Introduction to Business Economics

Paper

Paper 4: Business Economics

Weightage

5%

Key Topics

Meaning, Scope, Price Mechanism

This chapter lays the groundwork for understanding Business Economics as a discipline. It covers the meaning, scope, and nature of economics — including key distinctions like Microeconomics vs Macroeconomics, Positive vs Normative economics, and the fundamental economic problem of scarcity. Students learn how businesses use economic principles for decision-making in a competitive marketplace.

View Official ICAI Syllabus

Exam Strategy Tip

Focus on definitions and distinctions between concepts. Questions often test whether you understand the difference between Micro and Macro, or Positive and Normative statements.

Related Comparison Tables

More Questions from Introduction to Business Economics

Ready to Master Introduction to Business Economics?

Practice all 209 questions with instant feedback, earn XP, track your streaks, and ace your CA Foundation exam.

Start Practicing — It's Free