Isocosts Summarize Prices of Inputs

Graph by Harcourt, Inc.

Each isocost represents a given total cost – further out for higher costs.Slope of isocost reflects relative cost of inputs – it’s MCL/MCK

Isoquants Summarize Technology

Graph by Harcourt, Inc.

Each isoquant represents a quantity of output – further out for more.Slope of isoquant is the marginal rate of technical substitution.

MRTS = MPL/MPK

Perfect Technological Complements

Graph by Harcourt, Inc.

No substitution is possible, so isoquants are right angles. Note that perfect substitutes would be straight lines - look like isocosts.

Profit Maximizing Choice of Inputs

Graph by Harcourt, Inc.

For the desired quantity of output, set MCL/MCK = MPL/MPK so the last dollar spent on each input is equally productive.

Long Run Effect of an Increase in the Wage

Graph by Harcourt, Inc.

A wage increase implies higher MC and thus lower optimal output. With the lower output (scale effect) reduce labor (Y) but steeper isoquant (substitution effect) so increase capital (Z).

Categories of Demand Elasticities

Graph by Harcourt, Inc.

Vertical ED is perfectly inelastic.

Horizontal ED is perfectly elastic.

Curved ED is unit elastic.

At their intersection, both demand curves are unit elastic, but the steeper one is relatively less elastic overall.

Elasticities Along a Straight-line Demand Curve

Graph by Harcourt, Inc.

Unit elastic at midpoint.

Elastic over top half.

Inelastic over bottom half.

Note that total wage bill is maximized at point of unit elasticity.

Firm-Specific Training MRP > W

Graph by Harcourt, Inc.

Without training MRP0. With training is MRP1 first then MRP2. To share cost, firm can pay W3 and not lose worker, who is only worth W0 to other firms.

If product demand, and thus MRP drops, W3 will likely still be below the new MRP and thus the worker will not be laid off.

Path of Employment with Adjustment Costs

85

90

95

100

105

110

115

1 25

Time

Optimal w/ No Adj Costs Optimal w/ Adj Costs

Costs of hiring (H) and firing (F) make it optimal to have less employment during a boom and more employment during a bust. Only hire if MRP-W>H, only fire if W-MRP>F.