simba nyakdee nyakudanga presentation on isoquants

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Chapter 5The Firm

And the Isoquant Map

Chapter 5The Firm

And the Isoquant Map

ISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSISISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSIS

• Isoquant

• A line indicating the level of inputs required

to produce a given level of output

• Iso- meaning - ‘Equal’

• -’Quant’ as in quantity

• Isoquant – a line of equal quantity

• Isoquant

• A line indicating the level of inputs required

to produce a given level of output

• Iso- meaning - ‘Equal’

• -’Quant’ as in quantity

• Isoquant – a line of equal quantity

Unitsof K402010 6 4

Unitsof L 512203050

Point ondiagram

abcde

a

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)An isoquant yielding output (TPP) of 5000 unitsAn isoquant yielding output (TPP) of 5000 units

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Unitsof K402010 6 4

Unitsof L 512203050

Point ondiagram

abcde

a

b

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

An isoquant yielding output (TPP) of 5000 unitsAn isoquant yielding output (TPP) of 5000 units

Unitsof K402010 6 4

Unitsof L 512203050

Point ondiagram

abcde

a

b

c

de

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

An isoquant yielding output (TPP) of 5000 unitsAn isoquant yielding output (TPP) of 5000 units

ISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSISISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSIS

• Isoquants

– their shape

– diminishing marginal rate of (technical)

substitution

– Rate at which we can substitute capital for

labour and still maintain output at the given

level.

• Isoquants

– their shape

– diminishing marginal rate of (technical)

substitution

– Rate at which we can substitute capital for

labour and still maintain output at the given

level. MRTS = K / L

Sometimes just called Marginal rate of Substitution (MRS)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

g

hK = -2

L = 1

isoquant

MRTS = -2 MRTS = K / L

Diminishing marginal rate of tech. substitutionDiminishing marginal rate of tech. substitution

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

g

h

j

k

K = -2

L = 1

K = -1

L = 1

Diminishing marginal rate of factor substitutionDiminishing marginal rate of factor substitution

isoquant

MRTS = -2

MRTS = -1

MRTS = K / L

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

An isoquant mapAn isoquant mapU

nits

of c

ap

ital (

K)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Q2=7000

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

An isoquant mapAn isoquant map

Q1

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

An isoquant mapAn isoquant map

Q1Q2

Q3

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

An isoquant mapAn isoquant map

Q1Q2

Q3

Q4

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Q1Q2

Q3

Q4

Q5

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

An isoquant mapAn isoquant map

ISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSISISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSIS

• Isoquants

• E.g: Cobb-Douglas Production Function

Q=K1/2 L1/2

• We now turn to an important aspect of

production, namely returns to scale.

• Isoquants

• E.g: Cobb-Douglas Production Function

Q=K1/2 L1/2

• We now turn to an important aspect of

production, namely returns to scale.

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5

Suppose producing 5000 units with 10 units of capital and 5 units of

labour

What happens now if we double

the amount of capital and

labour?

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5

Suppose producing 5000 units with 10 units of capital and 5 units of

labour

What happens now if we double

the amount of capital and

labour?

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5

What is the output level at this new isoquant?

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5

Suppose 20 K and 10 L gives 10,000 units

then we say there are constant returns to scale

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5

If Q(K,L) =5000

Then Q(2K,2L)

= 2Q(K,L) =10,000

Q2=10,000

Constant Returns to ScaleConstant Returns to Scale

• For example the Cobb-Douglas Production For example the Cobb-Douglas Production Function: Q(K,L)= Function: Q(K,L)= K1/2 L1/2

Q(2K,2L)= (2Q(2K,2L)= (2K)1/2(2L)1/2

=2 =2 K1/2L1/2 =2Q(K,L)Q(K,L)

A function such that Q(aK,aL)=aQ(K,L) for all A function such that Q(aK,aL)=aQ(K,L) for all a>0 (or a=0), is said to be HOMOGENOUS a>0 (or a=0), is said to be HOMOGENOUS OF DEGREE 1 (sometimes: LINEAR OF DEGREE 1 (sometimes: LINEAR HOMOGENOUS) HOMOGENOUS)

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5

If Q(K,L) =5000

and Q(2K,2L)=15,000

>2Q(K,L)=10000

Then there is IRSQ2=15,000

Increasing returns to scale, IRS

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5

Increasing returns to scale:

“Isoquants get closer together”

Q2=15,000

Q2=10,000

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5

If Q(K,L) =5000

and

Q(2K,2L)=7,000

< 2Q(K,L)=10000Q2=7,000

Decreasing returns to scale, DRS

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5

Q2=7,000

Q2=10,000

Decreasing returns to scale: “Isoquants get further apart”

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5

Q2=7,000

Q2=10,000

If Decreasing returns to scale: “Isoquants get further apart”

ISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSISISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSIS

• Isoquants

– isoquants and marginal returns:

The Marginal Return measures the change in

output when one variable is changed and the

other is kept fixed.

– To see this, suppose we examine the CRS

diagram again, this time with 3 isoquants,

– 5000, 10,000, and 15,000

• Isoquants

– isoquants and marginal returns:

The Marginal Return measures the change in

output when one variable is changed and the

other is kept fixed.

– To see this, suppose we examine the CRS

diagram again, this time with 3 isoquants,

– 5000, 10,000, and 15,000

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5 15

Q2=10,000

Q3=15000

ISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSISISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSIS

• Next, holding capital constant at K=20 we

examine the different amounts of labour

required to produce

• 5000, 10,000, and 15,000 units of output

• Next, holding capital constant at K=20 we

examine the different amounts of labour

required to produce

• 5000, 10,000, and 15,000 units of output

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5 15

Q1=10,000

Q3=15000

232

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5 15

Q1=10,000

Q3=15000With K

Constant, Q1 to Q2 requires 8 L

232

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5 15

Q1=10,000

Q3=15000With K

Constant, Q1 to Q2 requires 8 L

With K Constant, Q2 to Q3 requires 13 L

2 23

ISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSISISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSIS

• So 5000 to 10,000 requires 8 extra L

• 10,000 to 15,000 requires 13 extra L

• So 5000 to 10,000 requires 8 extra L

• 10,000 to 15,000 requires 13 extra L

0

10

20

30

0 10 20

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

Q1=5000

5 15

Q1=10,000

Q3=15000

<- 8 L -> <- 13 L ->

2 23

What principle is this?

ISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSISISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSIS

• So 5000 to 10,000 requires 8 extra L

• 10,000 to 15,000 requires 13 extra L

• What principle is this?

• So 5000 to 10,000 requires 8 extra L

• 10,000 to 15,000 requires 13 extra L

• What principle is this?

•Principle of Diminishing MARGINAL

returns

•Note: So CRS and diminishing marginal

returns go well together

ISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSISISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSIS

• Isoquants

– their shape

– diminishing marginal rate of substitution

– isoquants and returns to scale

– isoquants and marginal returns

• Isoquants

– their shape

– diminishing marginal rate of substitution

– isoquants and returns to scale

– isoquants and marginal returns

ISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSISISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSIS

• We now add the firms’ costs to the analysis !

• Suppose bank or venture Capitalist will only lend

you £300,000

• How much capital and labour can you buy / hire?

• ISOCOST- Line of indicating set of inputs with

‘equal’ Cost

• We now add the firms’ costs to the analysis !

• Suppose bank or venture Capitalist will only lend

you £300,000

• How much capital and labour can you buy / hire?

• ISOCOST- Line of indicating set of inputs with

‘equal’ Cost

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

An isocostAn isocost

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Assumptions

PK = £20 000 W = £10 000

TC = £300 000

a

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

a

b

Assumptions

PK = £20 000 W = £10 000

TC = £300 000

An isocostAn isocost

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

a

b

c

Assumptions

PK = £20 000 W = £10 000

TC = £300 000

An isocostAn isocost

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

TC = £300 000

a

b

c

d

Assumptions

PK = £20 000 W = £10 000

TC = £300 000

An isocostAn isocost

TC = WL + PKK

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Assumptions

PK = £20 000 W = £5,000

TC = £300 000

Suppose Price of Labour (wages) fallsSuppose Price of Labour (wages) falls

TC = £300 000

Slope of Line =

-W/PK

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

TC = £500 000

Assumptions

PK = £20 000 W = £10 000

TC = £500 000

Suppose Bank increases Finance to £500,000Suppose Bank increases Finance to £500,000

TC = £300 000

NOTE!NOTE!

ISOQUANT and ISOCOST CURVES hopefully ISOQUANT and ISOCOST CURVES hopefully remind you a lot about INDIFFERENCE remind you a lot about INDIFFERENCE CURVES and BUDGET LINES...CURVES and BUDGET LINES...

Efficient production:Efficient production:

• Two types of problems:

• 1. Least-cost-combination of factors for a given output level

• Two types of problems:

• 1. Least-cost-combination of factors for a given output level

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0 10 20 30 40 50

Finding the least-cost method of productionFinding the least-cost method of production

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Assumptions

PK = £20 000W = £10 000

TC = £200 000

TC = £300 000

TC = £400 000

TC = £500 000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0 10 20 30 40 50

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)Finding the least-cost method of productionFinding the least-cost method of production

Target Level = TPPTarget Level = TPP11

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0 10 20 30 40 50

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)Finding the least-cost method of productionFinding the least-cost method of production

Target Level = TPPTarget Level = TPP11

TPP1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0 10 20 30 40 50

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)Finding the least-cost method of productionFinding the least-cost method of production

TC = £400 000r

TPP1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0 10 20 30 40 50

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)Finding the least-cost method of productionFinding the least-cost method of production

TC = £400 000

TC = £500 000s

r

tTPP1

ISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSISISOQUANT- ISOCOST ANALYSIS

• Least-cost-combination of factors for a given output level

– Produce on lowest isocost line where the iosquant just touches it at a point of tangency

– We’ll get back to this !

• Least-cost-combination of factors for a given output level

– Produce on lowest isocost line where the iosquant just touches it at a point of tangency

– We’ll get back to this !

Efficient production:Efficient production:

• Effectively have two types of problem

• 1. Least-cost combination of factors for a given output

• 2. Highest output for given production costs

• Here have Financial Constraint:

E.g.: Venture Capital

• Effectively have two types of problem

• 1. Least-cost combination of factors for a given output

• 2. Highest output for given production costs

• Here have Financial Constraint:

E.g.: Venture Capital

Finding the maximum output for given total costsFinding the maximum output for given total costs

Q1Q2

Q3

Q4

Q5

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

O

O

Isocost

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

TPP1TPP2

TPP3

TPP4

TPP5

Finding the maximum output for given total costsFinding the maximum output for given total costs

O

r

v

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

TPP1TPP2

TPP3

TPP4

TPP5

Finding the maximum output for given total costsFinding the maximum output for given total costs

O

s

u

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

TPP1TPP2

TPP3

TPP4

TPP5

r

v

Finding the maximum output for given total costsFinding the maximum output for given total costs

O

t

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

TPP1TPP2

TPP3

TPP4

TPP5

r

v

s

u

Finding the maximum output for given total costsFinding the maximum output for given total costs

O

K1

L1

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

TPP1TPP2

TPP3

TPP4

TPP5

r

v

s

u

t

Finding the maximum output for given total costsFinding the maximum output for given total costs

Efficient production:Efficient production:

• 1. Least-cost combination of factors for a given output

• 2. Highest output for a given cost of production

• Comparison with Marginal Product Approach

• 1. Least-cost combination of factors for a given output

• 2. Highest output for a given cost of production

• Comparison with Marginal Product Approach

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

isoquant

MRS = dK / dL

Recall Recall MRTS = dK / dL

Loss of Output if reduce K =-MPPKdK

Gain of Output if increase L =MPPLdL

Along an Isoquant dQ=0 so -MPPKdK =MPPLdL

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

isoquant

MRTS = dK / dL

Recall Recall MRTS = dK / dL

Along an Isoquant dQ=0 so -MPPKdK =MPPLdL

K

L

MPP

MPP

dL

dK

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

Units of labour (L)

isoquant

MRTS = dK / dL

Recall Recall MRTS = dK / dL

Along an Isoquant dQ=0 so -MPPKdK =MPPLdL

K

L

MPP

MPP

dL

dKMRTS

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)What about the slope of an isocost line?What about the slope of an isocost line?

Reduction in cost if reduce K = - PKdK

Rise in cost if increase L = PLdL

Along an isocost line

-PKdK = PLdL

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Units of labour (L)

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)What about the slope of an isocost line?What about the slope of an isocost line?

Along an isocost line

-PKdK = PL dL

K

L

P

P

dL

dK

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

In equilibrium slope of Isoquant = Slope of isocostIn equilibrium slope of Isoquant = Slope of isocost

100

K

L

K

L

P

P

MPP

MPP

dL

dKMRTS

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

In equilibrium slope of Isoquant = Slope of isocostIn equilibrium slope of Isoquant = Slope of isocost

100

K

L

K

L

P

P

MPP

MPP

K

K

L

L

P

MPP

P

MPP

• Intuition is that money spent on each factor Intuition is that money spent on each factor should, at the margin, yield the same should, at the margin, yield the same additional outputadditional output

• Suppose notSuppose not

K

K

L

L

P

MPP

P

MPP

K

K

L

L

P

MPP

P

MPP

• Then extra output per £1 spent on labour greater than extra output per £1 spent on Then extra output per £1 spent on labour greater than extra output per £1 spent on CapitalCapital

• So switch resources from Capital to LabourSo switch resources from Capital to Labour• MPPMPPLL??

– DownDown

• MPPMPPKK? ? – UpUp

(Principle of Diminishing Marginal Returns)(Principle of Diminishing Marginal Returns)

K

K

L

L

P

MPP

P

MPP

K

K

L

L

P

MPP

P

MPPSuppose

LONG-RUN COSTSLONG-RUN COSTS

• Derivation of long-run costs from an isoquant map

– derivation of long-run costs

• Derivation of long-run costs from an isoquant map

– derivation of long-run costs

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

Deriving an Deriving an LRACLRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

TC1

100

At an output of 100LRAC = TC1 / 100

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

100TC

2

200

At an output of 200LRAC = TC2 / 200

Deriving an Deriving an LRACLRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100 200300

400500

600

700

Deriving an Deriving an LRACLRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100300

400500

600

700

Deriving an Deriving an LRACLRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

Are the Isoquants getting closer or

further apart here?

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100300

400500

600

700

Deriving an Deriving an LRACLRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

Getting Closer up to 400, getting further

apart after 400

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100300

400500

600

700

Deriving an Deriving an LRACLRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

What does that mean?

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100 200300

400500

600

700

Note: increasing returnsto scale up to 400 units;

decreasing returns toscale above 400 units

Deriving an Deriving an LRACLRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

LONG-RUN COSTSLONG-RUN COSTS

• Derivation of long-run costs from an isoquant map

– derivation of long-run costs

– the expansion path

• Derivation of long-run costs from an isoquant map

– derivation of long-run costs

– the expansion path

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100 200300

400500

600

700

Expansion path

Deriving an Deriving an LRACLRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

0

20

40

60

80

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

TC

Total costs for firm in Long -RunTotal costs for firm in Long -Run

MC = TC / Q=20/1=20

Q=1

TC=20

A typical long-run average cost curveA typical long-run average cost curve

OutputO

Co

sts

LRAC

A typical long-run average cost curveA typical long-run average cost curve

OutputO

Co

sts

LRACEconomiesof scale

Constantcosts

Diseconomiesof scale

A typical long-run average cost curveA typical long-run average cost curve

OutputO

Co

sts

LRAC

MC

MC

What about the Short-RunWhat about the Short-Run

• Derivation of short-run costs from an isoquant map

– Recall in SR Capital stock is fixed

• Derivation of short-run costs from an isoquant map

– Recall in SR Capital stock is fixed

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100 200300

400500

600

700

Deriving a SDeriving a SRACRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

Suppose initially at Long-Run

Equilibrium at K0L0

L0

K0

What would happen if had to

produce at a different level?

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100

400

700

Deriving a SDeriving a SRACRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

Suppose initially at Long-Run

Equilibrium at K0L0

L0

K0

To make life simple lets just focus on

two isoquants, 700 and 100

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100

400

700

Deriving a SDeriving a SRACRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

Consider an output level such

as Q=700

Hold SR capital constant at K0

L0

K0

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100

400

700

Deriving a SDeriving a SRACRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

Locate the cheapest production point in SR

on K0 line

L0

K0

TC in SR is obviously higher

than LR

Un

its o

f ca

pita

l (K

)

O

Units of labour (L)

TC1

TC2

TC3

TC4

TC5

TC6

TC7

100

400

700

Deriving a SDeriving a SRACRAC curve from an isoquant map curve from an isoquant map

Similarly, consider an output level such as Q=100

L0

K0

Again TC in SR is obviously higher

than LR

0

20

40

60

80

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

LRTC

Total costs for firm in the Short and Long -RunTotal costs for firm in the Short and Long -Run

SRTC

What about the Short-RunWhat about the Short-Run

• Derivation of short-run costs from an isoquant map

– Recall in SR Capital stock is fixed

• In SR TC is always higher than LR

• ….and Average costs?

• Derivation of short-run costs from an isoquant map

– Recall in SR Capital stock is fixed

• In SR TC is always higher than LR

• ….and Average costs?

A typical short-run average cost curveA typical short-run average cost curve

OutputO

Co

sts

LRACSRAC