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Minimum Efficient Scale
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Lowest output at which minimum LRATC is attained
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Economies of Scale:
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As output rises, LRATC declines. (LRATC curve is downward sloping)
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Constant Returns to Scale:
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As output rises, LRATC is unchanged. (LRATC curve is horizontal).
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Diseconomies of Scale:
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As output rises, LRATC increases. (LRATC curve is upward sloping).
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Opportunity Cost:
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The best alternative given up in choosing to do something else.
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Profit equation
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Profit = Total Revenue - Total Cost
π = TR - TC
π = TR - TC
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Firms output equation
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P x q - TC
q is firm's output.
q is firm's output.
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Sunk Cost:
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Cost incurred in the past that cannot be recouped. (Not a true economic cost).
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Reasons for Economies of Scale:
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1) Specialization 2) Pecuniary (pertaining to input prices) 3) Large setup costs 4) Other
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Accounting Profit Equation
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π = TR - Explicit Costs
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Economic Profit Equation
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π = TR - All Opportunity Costs
= TR - Explicit Costs - Implicit Costs
= TR - Explicit Costs - Implicit Costs
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Normal Average Rate of Return
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Π = 0 Zero Economic Profit (Normal Profit)
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Below average rate of return
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Π < 0 Negative Economic Profit (Economic Loss)
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Above average rate of return
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Π > 0 Positive Economic Profit
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Short-Run:
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Time interval during which amounts of some inputs can't be changed. (That is, there is a fixed input).
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Long-run:
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Time interval in which a firm is able to vary all inputs. (That is, there are no fixed inputs).
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Total Cost Equation
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Total Cost = Variable Cost + Fixed Cost
TC = VC + FC
TC = VC + FC
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Variable Costs:
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The component of Total Cost that increases as output is increased. (Tied to variable inputs).
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Fixed Costs:
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The component of Total Cost that does not change as output changes. (Fixed costs are generally associated with the fixed inputs).
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Marginal Cost:
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The change in cost resulting from a change in output. (Basically, it's the added cost of producing one more unit).
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marginal cost equation
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change in TC/change in Q
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Fixed cost equation
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ATC = AVC + AFC
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Marginal (Physical) Product of Labor:
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The change in output resulting from a change in labor, holding other inputs fixed. ( added output resulting from adding another worker.)
MPL = ∆q/∆L
MPL = ∆q/∆L
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Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns:
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As more of a variable input (e.g., labor) is added to a fixed input (e.g., capital), eventually the marginal product of the variable input will decline.
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Point of Diminishing Marginal Returns:
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Input (or output) level where the Law of D.M.R. first takes hold.