How did Cecilia's knowledge of economics help her make a savvy commodity purchase?

• A. She ignored market prices and focused only on brand reputation.
• B. She always purchased commodities at the highest possible price to ensure quality.
• C. She bought commodities without considering her budget constraints.
• D. She was able to identify when the market price was below her willingness to pay, allowing her to gain consumer surplus.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of consumer surplus, which is the difference between what a consumer is willing to pay for a good and the actual market price they pay.
2. Recognize that Cecilia's knowledge of economics helped her assess her willingness to pay for a commodity based on its value to her, rather than just following brand reputation or price alone.
3. Identify the market price of the commodity and compare it to Cecilia's willingness to pay to determine if the price is lower, which creates an opportunity for consumer surplus.
4. Realize that by purchasing the commodity when the market price is below her willingness to pay, Cecilia effectively gains extra value or benefit from the transaction.
5. Conclude that this strategy allows Cecilia to make savvy purchases by maximizing her consumer surplus, rather than simply buying at the highest price or ignoring budget constraints.