Gamma Corp. regularly assesses its marketing strategy. In order to devise good strategies, the company gathers information about factors such as competitors, economic conditions, technological developments, and customer choices. This activity of collecting external information illustrates .

Trade will take place: a. if the maximum that a consumer is willing and able to pay is less than the minimum price the producer is willing and able to accept for a good. b. if the maximum that a consumer is willing and able to pay is greater than the minimum price the producer is willing and able to accept for a good. c. only if the maximum that a consumer is willing and able to pay is equal to the minimum price the producer is willing and able to accept for a good. d. none of the above.