Final answer:
Asia has the largest cattle and pig populations, with countries like China and India contributing significantly. Brazil has an absolute advantage in beef production with a lower opportunity cost compared to the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the geographical distribution of livestock populations around the world. When considering the largest cattle and pig populations by continent, Asia stands out as having the largest numbers due to its vast land area, diverse climates, and large agricultural sectors in countries like China, which is known for having the world's largest population of pigs. As for cattle, countries like India and China also contribute significantly to the Asian cattle population. In contrast, looking at the comparative advantage in terms of beef production, Brazil has an absolute advantage in producing beef, as it can produce 100 pounds of beef as opposed to the United States, which can produce 40 pounds. The opportunity cost of producing one pound of beef in Brazil is 0.1 auto, whereas in the United States, it is 0.75 auto, indicating that Brazil is more efficient in beef production.