When would you consider an economy to be operating efficiently?

An economy is considered to be operating efficiently when it maximizes output with the resources currently available. This concept aligns with the idea of productive efficiency, where an economy is using its resources in the most effective way possible to produce goods and services. When efficiency is achieved, it indicates that the maximum possible quantity of goods and services is being produced without any waste or inefficiencies in resource allocation.

In this context, options that suggest underutilization of resources or the existence of surpluses point to inefficiencies within the economy. Underutilization means that not all resources are being actively employed in production, which indicates that the potential output could be higher. On the other hand, making no trade-offs is not feasible in economic terms, as scarcity necessitates that choices be made between competing needs and wants. An economy must prioritize certain outputs over others, resulting in opportunity costs.

Therefore, option B highlights the ideal scenario where resources are fully utilized to their maximum potential, indicating an efficient economy that is capable of producing the highest possible output given its current resource constraints.