assume that by devoting all its resources to the production of x, nation alpha can produce 40 units of x. by devoting all its resources to y, alpha can produce 60y. comparable figures for nation beta are 60x and 40y. if alpha had produced 20x and 30y and beta had produced 30x and 20y before specialization and trade, then we can say that the gains from specialization and trade are 10x and 10y.