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The paradox of value - Akshita Agarwal

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TEDEd Animation

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Imagine you’re on a game show and you can choose between two prizes: a diamond … or a bottle of water. It’s an easy choice – the diamonds are more valuable. But if given the same choice when you were dehydrated in the desert, after wandering for days, would you choose differently? Why? Aren’t diamonds still more valuable? Akshita Agarwal explains the paradox of value.

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You purchased three bars of chocolate. The utility of purchasing the first bar of chocolate is 10 units. The utility of purchasing second bar of chocolate is 8 units. The utility of the third bar of chocolate is 6 units. What is the total value or total utility of purchasing three bars of chocolate?

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Akshita Agarwal
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Animator Qa'ed Mai
  • Narrator Julianna Zarzycki

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