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Chapter 3 P & C
Chapter 3 P & C
e II
ag
St
Optimal Level of Variable Input Usage
What level of input usage within Stage II is best
for the firm?
The answer depends upon how many units of
output the firm can sell, the price of the product,
and the monetary costs of employing the variable
input.
In order to determine the optimal input usage we
assume that the firm operates in a perfectly
competitive market for its input and its output.
Product price, P=$2
Variable input price, w=$10
Define the following
Total Revenue Product (TRP) = Q•P
Marginal Revenue Product (MRP) =
q= f(X1,X2,…,Xn)
If all inputs are multiplied by a positive constant
m, we have
This graph
illustrates the
relationship
between the long-
run production
function and the
long-run cost
function.
The Long-Run Cost Function
Long run marginal cost(LRMC) measures the change
in long run costs associated with a change in output.
Long run average cost(LRAC) measures the average
per-unit cost of production when all inputs are
variable.
In general, the LRAC is u-shaped.
When LRAC is declining we say that the firm is
experiencing economies of scale.
Economies of scale implies that per-unit costs are
falling.
When LRAC is increasing we say that the firm is
experiencing diseconomies of scale.
Diseconomies of scale implies that per-unit costs are
rising.
The Long-Run Cost Function
The figure
illustrates the
general shape of
the LRAC.
LRAC
LRAC with
decrease with diseco
output.. size at
Economies of of
size at ever
level of output