ASSIGNMENT 1 2026
DUE: AUGUST 2026
SEMESTER 2 2026
, ECS3704 ASSIGNMENT 1 2026
DUE AUGUST 2026
The Problem
Steel factories create pollution that harms people and the environment. The factories
only think about their own costs like labour and materials. They ignore the cost of
pollution to society. This is called a negative externality.
Why the Market Fails
Q₀ = Too much steel (what the market makes)
Q₁ = Right amount of steel (what society needs)
P₀ = Too cheap (market price)
P₁ = Right price (true cost to society)
The free market makes too much steel at too low a price because factories don't pay for
pollution damage.