Answer:
a. The total surplus when output level Q2 is produced can be calculated by finding the area of the triangle formed by points b, c, and Q2.
Base = Q2 - Q1 = 7 - 12 = -5 (Note: Since Q2 is smaller than Q1, the base is negative)
Height = Price at point c - Price at point e = $10 - $24 = -$14 (Note: Again, since the price at point c is smaller than the price at point e, the height is negative)
Area = 0.5 * Base * Height
= 0.5 * (-5) * (-14)
= 0.5 * 5 * 14
= 35
Therefore, the total surplus when output level Q2 is produced is $35.
b. The dollar value of the total surplus when output level Q3 is produced can be calculated by finding the area of the triangle formed by points b, a, and Q3.
Base = Q3 - Q1 = 19 - 12 = 7
Height = Price at point a - Price at point e = $70 - $24 = $46
Area = 0.5 * Base * Height
= 0.5 * 7 * 46
= 161
Therefore, the dollar value of the total surplus when output level Q3 is produced is $161.