Answer:
Explanation:
1) The total cost of reducing runoff if the farmers are not allowed to trade permits is:
total loss = farmer A' loss + farmer B's loss
where:
total loss = $1,250 + $2,500 = $3,750
2) The total cost of reducing runoff if the farmers are allowed to trade permits is:
Since farmer A will be willing to sell his permits to farmer B for a price that is ≥ $25 and ≤ $50, the total cost of reducing runoff is $2,500.
If farmer A sells his runoff permit at a price higher than $25 his costs will decrease but farmer B's costs will increase, so any gain due to price change is offset by the other farmer's loss. Â