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AP Economics. Mr. Bernstein Module 54: The Production Function November 4, 2013. AP Economics Mr. Bernstein. The Production Function The relationship between and firm’s inputs and outputs In general, the relationship is positive . AP Economics Mr. Bernstein. Input and Output
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AP Economics Mr. Bernstein Module 54: The Production Function November 4, 2013
AP EconomicsMr. Bernstein The Production Function • The relationship between and firm’s inputs and outputs • In general, the relationship is positive
AP EconomicsMr. Bernstein Input and Output • Variable Inputs: can be increased to increase production • Fixed Inputs: cannot be increased in the near term to increase production • The short run: at least one input is fixed. The time period that is too brief for a firm to alter its plant size (capital is fixed) • The long run: all inputs may vary A period of time long enough for a firm to vary all inputs, including capital (ie plant size) • Time of “long run” varies by firm
AP EconomicsMr. Bernstein Total Product • TP (or Q) • Production function shows TP at various levels of a variable input or inputs (ie labor, raw materials) and fixed input (capital) • Typically increases rapidly at first (ie as new workers are hired) but as opportunities to specialize have been implemented, will rise slower…and eventually turn downward
AP EconomicsMr. Bernstein Marginal Product • The additional output produced as a result of hiring one more unit of the input • MPL = (Δ Total Output)/(Δ Labor) • MPC = (Δ Total Output)/(Δ Capital) • MP = slope of TP curve • TP curves demonstrate Diminishing Returns to Inputs • As more and more of a variable input is added to a fixed input, the additional output produced will decline • Not due to inferior quality of inputs
AP EconomicsMr. Bernstein Total Product Presented Graphically • MP can be diminishing but TP keeps rising until MP<0
AP EconomicsMr. Bernstein Marginal Product Presented Graphically • MP is diminishing , and therefore TP rising, until QL ~= 6.5