AP Macro Ultimate Guide
NOTE: I only have AP Macro for first semester, so I’ll start making this guide in January! I’ll have it done way before AP Exam season ‘25 so that’s its good to use for studying! I’ll leave the Unit 1 terms up, but I also have flashcards for each Unit!
scarcity a limit in the amount of goods and services
causes us to make choices because of restricted options
opportunity cost sacrificing some goods or services in favor of another
getting something at the cost or expense of another thing (the actual good)
usually the best option
utility benefits of consuming a good or service, usually after making a purposeful, rational decision
marginal extra, additional, or a “change in”
trade-off exchanging one good or service for another
making a choice!
Opportunity Cost Graph linear graph
linear = constant
attainable inside of linear graph
NO OPPORTUNITY COST AVAILABLE
unattainable outside of linear graph
OPPORTUNITY COST AVAILABLE
4 Resources Land
Labor
Capital
Entrepreneurial Ability
PPC Production Possibilities Curve
Why does the PPC graph have a “bowed” shape? the Production Possibilities Curve shows a “bowed” shape to it due to it representing INCREASING OPP. cost
efficiency ON PPC curve
inefficiency (“inside”) inside PPC curve
Unemployment Rate 4-5%: acceptable rate of unemployment; still on curve
7%: unacceptable rate of unemployment
Growth represented on PPC outward shift on PPC
Ways to create an outward shift (showing growth) on PPC: produce more goods & services
increase either the quantity OR quality of the factors of production
savings don’t consume all of your resources
investment firms purchase capital equipment to expand production of goods & services
ex: govt. spending on INFASTRUCTURE
What may cause Economic Growth? a higher-educated workforce
increased imports from foreign countries
increased exports to foreign countries (to facilitate modern trade)
increased production of goods and services
keeping unemployment rate at the correct level
supporting new businesses and startups
NOTE: I only have AP Macro for first semester, so I’ll start making this guide in January! I’ll have it done way before AP Exam season ‘25 so that’s its good to use for studying! I’ll leave the Unit 1 terms up, but I also have flashcards for each Unit!
scarcity a limit in the amount of goods and services
causes us to make choices because of restricted options
opportunity cost sacrificing some goods or services in favor of another
getting something at the cost or expense of another thing (the actual good)
usually the best option
utility benefits of consuming a good or service, usually after making a purposeful, rational decision
marginal extra, additional, or a “change in”
trade-off exchanging one good or service for another
making a choice!
Opportunity Cost Graph linear graph
linear = constant
attainable inside of linear graph
NO OPPORTUNITY COST AVAILABLE
unattainable outside of linear graph
OPPORTUNITY COST AVAILABLE
4 Resources Land
Labor
Capital
Entrepreneurial Ability
PPC Production Possibilities Curve
Why does the PPC graph have a “bowed” shape? the Production Possibilities Curve shows a “bowed” shape to it due to it representing INCREASING OPP. cost
efficiency ON PPC curve
inefficiency (“inside”) inside PPC curve
Unemployment Rate 4-5%: acceptable rate of unemployment; still on curve
7%: unacceptable rate of unemployment
Growth represented on PPC outward shift on PPC
Ways to create an outward shift (showing growth) on PPC: produce more goods & services
increase either the quantity OR quality of the factors of production
savings don’t consume all of your resources
investment firms purchase capital equipment to expand production of goods & services
ex: govt. spending on INFASTRUCTURE
What may cause Economic Growth? a higher-educated workforce
increased imports from foreign countries
increased exports to foreign countries (to facilitate modern trade)
increased production of goods and services
keeping unemployment rate at the correct level
supporting new businesses and startups