<p>Perhaps you mean an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgeworth_box" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Edgeworth box</a>?
Here is an example demonstrating Ricardo's theory of comparative advantage using an Edgeworth box:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/WWT2M.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/WWT2M.jpg" alt="richardo edgeworth"></a>
Source: <a href="http://www.policonomics.com/ricardian-trade-theory/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Policonomics</a> </p>

<p>This shows that through trade both Portugal and England can have more wine and more cloth after opening up trade between the countries. It also shows that even if Portugal is more productive than England at producing both commodities then trade is still improving (that is what makes it comparative and not absolute advantage). </p>

<p>Alternatively, perhaps you mean a 2x2 table like this which shows the labor needed to produce each good:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/edm2v.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/edm2v.png" alt="table pic"></a></p>

<p>Source: <a href="http://kalyan-city.blogspot.com/2011/02/ricardos-theory-of-comparative.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">KALYAN CITY LIFE</a></p>

<p>To my knowledge this table has no special name. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-27T21:58:58.907Z
A Punett square is an $n \times n$ square that shows how the alleles of a certain gene can recombine into other alleles. $n$ is a finite number (and in illustrative examples it is fairly small) so it was probably not the Edgeworth box which shows a square with infinitely many points.
Giskard
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-27T20:17:20.647Z
2017-01-27T20:31:43.483Z
2017-01-27T20:31:43.483Z
BKay
<p>I think you are referring to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage#Ricardo.27s_example" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ricardo's model of comparative advantage</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-27T20:15:16.390Z
2017-01-27T20:15:16.390Z
Giskard
<p>I remember doing these in High School.It was a 2x2 square, where you could work out the math to show that countries were better off focusing on their efficiency/competitive advantage, and that free trade made both better off.</p>

<p>Not looking for an analysis of if the logic is right or wrong or whatnot, just what is the name of the square (assuming it has one)</p>

<international-trade>
What is the name of the economics free trade "punnett square"
Jason Coyne
# What is the name of the economics free trade "punnett square"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-01-27)

I remember doing these in High School.It was a 2x2 square, where you could work out the math to show that countries were better off focusing on their efficiency/competitive advantage, and that free trade made both better off.

Not looking for an analysis of if the logic is right or wrong or whatnot, just what is the name of the square (assuming it has one)

**Tags:** international-trade

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-01-27. Score: 3

Perhaps you mean an [Edgeworth box](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgeworth_box)?
Here is an example demonstrating Ricardo's theory of comparative advantage using an Edgeworth box:
[![richardo edgeworth](https://i.sstatic.net/WWT2M.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/WWT2M.jpg)
Source: [Policonomics](http://www.policonomics.com/ricardian-trade-theory/)

This shows that through trade both Portugal and England can have more wine and more cloth after opening up trade between the countries. It also shows that even if Portugal is more productive than England at producing both commodities then trade is still improving (that is what makes it comparative and not absolute advantage).

Alternatively, perhaps you mean a 2x2 table like this which shows the labor needed to produce each good:
[![table pic](https://i.sstatic.net/edm2v.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/edm2v.png)

Source: [KALYAN CITY LIFE](http://kalyan-city.blogspot.com/2011/02/ricardos-theory-of-comparative.html)

To my knowledge this table has no special name.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: A Punett square is an $n \times n$ square that shows how the alleles of a certain gene can recombine into other alleles. $n$ is a finite number (and in illustrative examples it is fairly small) so it was probably not the Edgeworth box which shows a square with infinitely many points.  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-01-27. Score: 1

I think you are referring to [Ricardo's model of comparative advantage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage#Ricardo.27s_example).


---

