question
long-run average cost curve
answer
a curve that shows the lowest cost at which a firm is able to produce a given quantity of output in the long run, when no inputs are fixed
question
economies or scale
answer
factors that cause a producer's average cost per unit to fall as output rises
question
minimum efficient scale
answer
The lowest rate of output at which a firm takes full advantage of economies of scale
question
constant returns to scale
answer
when long-run average total cost is constant as output increases
question
diseconomies of scale
answer
the situation in which a firm's long-run average costs rise as the firm increases output
question
marginal cost (formula)
answer
the increase in total cost that arises from an extra unit of production (change in total cost / change in quantity)
question
average total cost
answer
total cost divided by the quantity of output
question
average fixed cost
answer
fixed cost divided by the quantity of output
question
average variable cost
answer
variable cost divided by the quantity of output
question
isoquant
answer
a curve that shows all the combinations of two inputs, such as capital and labor, that will produce the same level of output
question
Marginal Rate of Technical Substitution (MRTS)
answer
the rate at which a firm is able to substitute one input for another while keeping the level of output constant
question
isocost line
answer
all the combinations of two inputs, such as capital and labor, that have the same total cost