AGEC 603 Production and Cost Relationships Conditions for Perfect Competition Homogeneous products Products from different producers are perfect substitutes No barriers to entry or exit Resources are free to move in and out of the sector Large number of buyers and sellers No market power price takers Perfect information Including quantities, prices, quality, sources of resources etc. Classification of Inputs Land - includes renewable (forests) and nonrenewable (minerals) resources Labor - all owner and hired labor services, excluding management Capital - manufactured goods such as fuel, chemicals, tractors and buildings Management - production decisions designed to achieve specific economic goal 1
Output What Are Production Functions? Mathematical relationship that characterizes the physical relationship between the use of inputs and the level of outputs Output = f(capital labor, land, and management) Start with one variable input Assume all other inputs fixed at their current levels Data - Barlowe Land Capital TPP APP MPP 1 1 2 1 2 6 1 3 13 1 4 23 1 3 1 6 49 1 7 64 1 8 78 1 9 91 1 10 102 1 11 111 1 12 118 1 13 122 1 14 123 1 1 121 TPP Curve 11 100 8 70 40 2 10-0 10 1 Capital Land unit 2
MPP Marginal Physical Product (MPP) Land Capital TPP MPP 1 1 2 (2-0)/(1-0) = 2 1 2 6 (6-2)/(2-1) = 4 1 3 13 7 1 4 23 10 1 3 12 1 6 49 14 1 7 64 1 1 8 78 14 1 9 91 13 1 10 102 11 1 11 111 9 1 12 118 7 1 13 122 4 1 14 123 1 1 1 121-2 The change in the level of output associated with the change in the use of an input. Slope small changes output MPP input Partial derivative δ TPP MPP = δ input 20 MPP - Three Segments 1 Increasing and positive 10 Decreasing but positive Negative and decreasing 0 0 10 1 - Capital Land unit Law of Diminishing Marginal Product As successive units of a variable input are added to a production process with the other inputs held constant, the marginal physical product (MPP) eventually declines 3
APP Data Land Capital TPP APP MPP 1 1 2 2.000 2 1 2 6 3.000 4 1 3 13 4.333 7 1 4 23.70 10 1 3 7.000 12 1 6 49 8.167 14 1 7 64 9.143 1 1 8 78 9.70 14 1 9 91 10.111 13 1 10 102 10.200 11 1 11 111 10.091 9 1 12 118 9.833 7 1 13 122 9.38 4 1 14 123 8.786 1 1 1 121 8.067-2 Average Physical Product (APP) Land Capital TPP APP 1 1 2 2/1 = 2.000 1 2 6 6/2 = 3.000 1 3 13 13/3 = 4.333 1 4 23.70 1 3 7.000 1 6 49 8.167 1 7 64 9.143 1 8 78 9.70 1 9 91 10.111 1 10 102 10.200 1 11 111 10.091 1 12 118 9.833 1 13 122 9.38 1 14 123 8.786 1 1 121 8.067 Represents the output per unit of input total output APP totalinput APP Graphically 20 1 Increasing and positive Decreasing but never goes negative 10 0 0 10 1 Capital Land unit 4
Data Land Capital TPP APP MPP 1 1 2 2.000 2 1 2 6 3.000 4 1 3 13 4.333 7 1 4 23.70 10 1 3 7.000 12 1 6 49 8.167 14 1 7 64 9.143 1 1 8 78 9.70 14 1 9 91 10.111 13 1 10 102 10.200 11 1 11 111 10.091 9 1 12 118 9.833 7 1 13 122 9.38 4 1 14 123 8.786 1 1 1 121 8.067-2 Question Professor William Saupe of the University of Wisconsin has a trophy in his office certifying he won the Northwest Iowa Corn Contest. When he says Look what I won for driving the marginal physical product of nitrogen to zero? What does he mean? A) He added nitrogen such that he maximized his yields by causing MPP to be zero. B) He should have added more nitrogen as the MPP was zero. C) He should have added less nitrogen as the MPP was zero. D) He does not understand the relationship between nitrogen and corn yields. E) MPP is a separate curve from the TPP curve, therefore, any relationship is ambiguous. Question Professor William Saupe of the University of Wisconsin has a trophy in his office certifying he won the Northwest Iowa Corn Contest. When he says Look what I won for driving the marginal physical product of nitrogen to zero? What does he mean? A) He added nitrogen such that he maximized his yields by causing MPP to be zero. B) He should have added more nitrogen as the MPP was zero. C) He should have added less nitrogen as the MPP was zero. D) He does not understand the relationship between nitrogen and corn yields. E) MPP is a separate curve from the TPP curve, therefore, any relationship is ambiguous.
Output MPP / APP 20 1 Stages of Production MPP APP Stage I: MPP > APP Stage II: MPP = or < APP; MPP = 0 Stage III: MPP < 0 10 0 0 10 1 Stage I Stage II Stage III - Capital Land unit Relationships - Know 11 TPP 100 8 70 40 2 TPP APP MPP Stage I Stage II Stage III MPP APP 10-0 10 1 Capital Land unit Question Assume a firm is producing where the MPP is negative. At this point of production, we know the APP and TPP curves are A) Both are negative. B) One is negative and the other is positive but the relationship is unknown without further information. C) Production is elastic at this point. D) TPP is negative and APP is positive. E) Both positive. 6
Corn dozen ~ Corn Dozen ` Question Assume a firm is producing where the MPP is negative. At this point of production, we know the APP and TPP curves are Positive 160 TPP 140 120 A) Both are negative. 100 B) One is negative and the other 80 Stage I Stage II Stage III is positive but the relationship 60 40 is unknown without further 20 information. 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 C) Production is elastic at this 3 point. 30 Positive 2 D) TPP is negative and APP is 20 APP positive. 1 10 E) Both positive. APP and TPP are always positive. KNOW 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 - WHY? -10-1 Pickers per Day Question What is TPP at X= 11? What is MPP at input level of 14? What is APP at input level of? Why is input level 17 irrelevant to a rational economic decision maker? A) 200, 0, 10, and beyond max TPP B) 10, 200, 0, and beyond max TPP C) 10, 200, 10, and before max TPP D) 100, 14, 10, and before max TPP E) 10, 0, 10, and beyond max TPP Output 200 10 100 0 8 11 14 17 input Question What is TPP at X= 11? What is MPP at input level of 14? What is APP at input level of? Why is input level 17 irrelevant to a rational economic decision maker? Read TPP directly Max TPP slope =MPP is 0 A) 200, 0, 10, and beyond max TPP B) 10, 200, 0, and beyond max TPP C) 10, 200, 10, and before max TPP D) 100, 14, 10, and before max TPP E) 10, 0, 10, and beyond max TPP off the graph Output 200 10 100 0 8 11 14 17 input APP = TPP/ input = 0/= 10 Beyond Max TPP Increasing input decreases TPP so why use? 7
Profit Maximization Value Product Analysis Assumptions Previous TPP Output price fixed at $1 / unit Capital price constant at $7 / unit Close to perfect competition TVP Land Capital TPP APP MPP TVP 1 1 2 2.000 2 1*2 = 2 1 2 6 3.000 4 1*6 = 6 1 3 13 4.333 7 13 1 4 23.70 10 23 1 3 7.000 12 3 1 6 49 8.167 14 49 1 7 64 9.143 1 64 1 8 78 9.70 14 78 1 9 91 10.111 13 91 1 10 102 10.200 11 102 1 11 111 10.091 9 111 1 12 118 9.833 7 118 1 13 122 9.38 4 122 1 14 123 8.786 1 123 1 1 121 8.067-2 121 TVP = price * TPP Note price = $1 Not generally the case MVP Land Capital TPP APP MPP TVP MVP 1 1 2 2.000 2 2 1*2 = 2 1 2 6 3.000 4 6 1*4 = 4 1 3 13 4.333 7 13 7 1 4 23.70 10 23 10 1 3 7.000 12 3 12 1 6 49 8.167 14 49 14 1 7 64 9.143 1 64 1 1 8 78 9.70 14 78 14 1 9 91 10.111 13 91 13 1 10 102 10.200 11 102 11 1 11 111 10.091 9 111 9 1 12 118 9.833 7 118 7 1 13 122 9.38 4 122 4 1 14 123 8.786 1 123 1 1 1 121 8.067-2 121-2 MVP = price * MPP or change in TVP / change in input Marginal return per unit of input Note price = $1 Not generally the case 8
AVP Land Capital TPP APP MPP TVP MVP AVP 1 1 2 2.000 2 2 2 1*2 = 2 1 2 6 3.000 4 6 4 1*3 = 3 1 3 13 4.333 7 13 7 4.333 1 4 23.70 10 23 10.70 1 3 7.000 12 3 12 7.000 1 6 49 8.167 14 49 14 8.167 1 7 64 9.143 1 64 1 9.143 1 8 78 9.70 14 78 14 9.70 1 9 91 10.111 13 91 13 10.111 1 10 102 10.200 11 102 11 10.200 1 11 111 10.091 9 111 9 10.091 1 12 118 9.833 7 118 7 9.833 1 13 122 9.38 4 122 4 9.38 1 14 123 8.786 1 123 1 8.786 1 1 121 8.067-2 121-2 8.067 AVP = price * APP or TVP / total input Note price = $1 Not generally the case Total Variable Cost - TVC Land Capital TPP APP MPP TVP MVP AVP TC 1 1 2 2.000 2 2 2 1*2 = 2 7*1 = 7 1 2 6 3.000 4 6 4 1*3 = 3 7*2 = 14 1 3 13 4.333 7 13 7 4.333 21 1 4 23.70 10 23 10.70 28 1 3 7.000 12 3 12 7.000 3 1 6 49 8.167 14 49 14 8.167 42 1 7 64 9.143 1 64 1 9.143 49 1 8 78 9.70 14 78 14 9.70 6 1 9 91 10.111 13 91 13 10.111 63 1 10 102 10.200 11 102 11 10.200 70 1 11 111 10.091 9 111 9 10.091 77 1 12 118 9.833 7 118 7 9.833 84 1 13 122 9.38 4 122 4 9.38 91 1 14 123 8.786 1 123 1 8.786 98 1 1 121 8.067-2 121-2 8.067 10 TC = price of input * input level AFC and MFC Land Capital TPP APP MPP TVP MVP AVP TC AFC MFC 1 1 2 2.000 2 2 2 1*2 = 2 7 7/1 = 7 7/1 = 7 1 2 6 3.000 4 6 4 1*3 = 3 (14-7)/ 14 14/2 = 7 (2-1)=7 MFC 1 = marginal 3 13 4.333 factor cost 7 13 = additional 7 4.333 cost 21 7 7 associated 1 4 with 23.70 the application 10 23 of 10 each.70 28 7 7 1 3 7.000 12 3 12 7.000 3 7 7 successive variable input = in TC / input 1 6 49 8.167 14 49 14 8.167 42 7 7 1 7 64 9.143 1 64 1 9.143 49 7 7 AFC 1 = average 8 78 9.70 factor 14 cost 78 = cost 14 per 9.70 unit of input 6 7 7 = 1 TC / input 9 91 level 10.111 13 91 13 10.111 63 7 7 1 10 102 10.200 11 102 11 10.200 70 7 7 In 1 this case 11 111 the 10.091 AFC = MFC 9 111 = constant 9 10.091 = $7 77 7 7 1 12 118 9.833 7 118 7 9.833 84 7 7 1 13 122 9.38 4 122 4 9.38 91 7 7 Why? 1 14 123 8.786 1 123 1 8.786 98 7 7 1 1 121 8.067-2 121-2 8.067 10 7 7 9
Dollars Net Returns or Profit Land Capital TPP APP MPP TVP MVP AVP TC Net AFC MFC Returns 1 1 2 2.000 2 2 2 2 7 7 7 2-7=- 1 2 6 3.000 4 6 4 3 14 7 7 6-14=-8 1 3 13 4.333 7 13 7 4.333 21 7 7-8.00 1 4 23.70 10 23 10.70 28 7 7 -.00 1 3 7.000 12 3 12 7. 3 7 7 0.00 1 6 49 8.167 14 49 14 8.167 42 7 7 7.00 Net Returns = TVP TC 1 7 64 9.143 1 64 1 9.143 49 7 7 1.00 1 8 78 9.70 14 78 14 9.70 6 7 7 22.00 1 9 91 10.111 13 91 13 10.111 63 7 7 28.00 1 10 102 10.200 11 102 11 10.200 70 7 7 32.00 1 11 111 10.091 9 111 9 10.091 77 7 7 34.00 1 12 118 9.833 7 118 7 9.833 84 7 7 34.00 1 13 122 9.38 4 122 4 9.38 91 7 7 31.00 1 14 123 8.786 1 123 1 8.786 98 7 7 2.00 1 1 121 8.067-2 121-2 8.067 10 7 7 16.00 Net Returns or Profit Land Capital TPP APP MPP TVP MVP AVP TVC Net AFC MFC Returns 1 1 2 2.000 2 2 2 2 7 7 7 2-7=- 1 2 6 3.000 4 6 4 3 14 7 7 6-14=-8 1 3 13 4.333 7 13 7 4.333 21 7 7-8.00 1 4 23.70 10 23 10.70 28 7 7 -.00 1 3 7.000 12 3 12 7. 3 7 7 0.00 1 6 49 8.167 14 49 14 8.167 42 7 7 7.00 1 7 64 9.143 1 64 1 9.143 49 7 7 1.00 1 8 78 9.70 14 78 14 9.70 6 7 7 22.00 1 9 91 10.111 13 91 13 10.111 63 7 7 28.00 1 10 102 10.200 11 102 11 10.200 70 7 7 32.00 1 11 111 10.091 9 111 9 10.091 77 7 7 34.00 1 12 118 9.833 7 118 7 9.833 84 7 7 34.00 1 13 122 9.38 4 122 4 9.38 91 7 7 31.00 1 14 123 8.786 1 123 1 8.786 98 7 7 2.00 1 1 121 8.067-2 121-2 8.067 10 7 7 16.00 Net Returns Maximization 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 TVP TVC Net Returns MFC MVP Net returns max at greatest distance between TVP and TC Occurs at input level in which MFC = MVP 0-20 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Captial 10
Dollars Net Returns Graph 3 30 2 20 1 10 MFC MVP Net Returns Input level that MFC = MVP maximizes net returns 0 0-2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16-10 Capital Land unit Short-Run Costs Fixed costs do not vary with the level of input use Variable costs vary with the level of input use Similar to production can obtain curves such as total, average, and marginal costs Note on Fixed Costs Fixed costs = 0 in Barlowe With only two inputs, land and capital the profits we are generating are returns to the fixed input land Usually TC = TVC + FC but our case FC = 0, therefore TC = TVC OK returns to land fixed costs do not influence decision making 11
Dollars Total Costs Recall capital costs = $7 / unit Land Capital TPP FC TVC FC+ TVC =TC 1 1 2 0 1 * 7 = 7 0 + 7 = 7 1 2 6 0 2 * 7 = 14 0 + 14 = 14 Note, 1 3 13 0 3 * 7 = 21 21 Will ignore 1 4 23 0 28 28 Land and FC in proceeding 1 3 0 3 3 slides! 1 6 49 0 42 42 1 7 64 0 49 49 1 8 78 0 6 6 1 9 91 0 63 63 1 10 102 0 70 70 1 11 111 0 77 77 1 12 118 0 84 84 1 13 122 0 91 91 1 14 123 0 98 98 1 1 121 0 10 10 Total Costs - Graphically 120 100 80 60 After max TTP decreases but costs still increase. Produce in Stage III? Cost increase at decreasing rate. 40 20 Cost increase at increasing rate. 0 Output or TPP Average / Marginal Costs Average cost = total cost / output Marginal cost = change in total costs / change in output Capital TPP TC ATC 1 2 7 7/2 = 3.0 (7-0)/(2-0) = 3.0 2 6 14 14/6 = 2.33 (14-7)/(6-2) = 1.7 3 13 21 21/13 = 1.62 (21-14)/(13-6) = 1.00 4 23 28 1.22 0.70 3 3 1.00 0.8 6 49 42 0.86 0.0 7 64 49 0.77 0.47 8 78 6 0.72 0.0 9 91 63 0.69 0.4 10 102 70 0.69 0.64 11 111 77 0.69 0.78 12 118 84 0.71 1.00 13 122 91 0.7 Why is 1.7 14 123 98 0.80 not relevant 7.00 1 121 10 0.87 in stage III! -3.0 12
Dollars Marginal / Average Costs 8.00 7.00 6.00.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 Output or TPP Cost / Production Relationships Decreasing is associated with increasing MPP Increasing is associated with diminishing marginal returns decreasing MPP Decreasing is associated with increasing APP Increasing is associated with decreasing APP = at minimum Question What is the shape of your curve between input levels of 12 and 10 pounds of fertilizer to your spinach field? Why? A) Upward sloping, MPP is increasing is stage 2. B) Upward sloping, MPP is decreasing in stage 2. C) Downward sloping, MPP is increasing in stage 2. D) Downward sloping, MPP is decreasing in stage 2. E) Upward sloping, the stage Stage 1 Stage 3 of production is irrelevant. Stage 2 13
Dollars Question What is the shape of your curve between input levels of 12 and 10 pounds of fertilizer to your spinach field? Why? A) Upward sloping, MPP is increasing is stage 2. B) Upward sloping, MPP is decreasing in stage 2. C) Downward sloping, MPP is increasing in stage 2. D) Downward sloping, MPP is decreasing in stage 2. E) Upward sloping, the stage Stage 1 Stage 3 of production is irrelevant. Stage 2 140 Net Returns = TVP - TC 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 TC TVP Net returns max at greatest distance between TVP and TC Output or TPP Short-Run Decisions Similar to what we have been doing Total Revenue (TVP) = price x quantity WHY? Average Revenue revenue per unit of output Marginal Revenue change in total revenue as output changes total revenue revenue AR MR total output output Objective maximize net returns given fixed land unit 14
Dollars Average / Marginal Revenues Recall price of $1 TPP TPP * price = TR AR MR 2.00 2 * 1 = 2.00 2/2 = 1.00 (2-0)/(2-0) = 1 6.00 6* 1 = 6.00 6/6 = 1.00 (6-2)/(6-2) = 1 13.00 13.00 1.00 1 23.00 23.00 1.00 1 3.00 3.00 1.00 1 49.00 49.00 1.00 1 64.00 64.00 1.00 1 78.00 78.00 1.00 1 91.00 91.00 1.00 1 102.00 102.00 1.00 1 111.00 111.00 1.00 1 118.00 118.00 1.00 1 122.00 122.00 1.00 1 123.00 123.00 1.00 1 121.00 121.00 1.00 1 Level of Output = MR Perfect competition in the short run produce at the point = MR 7.00 6.00.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 MR Net revenue maximizing point = MR Output or TPP Level of Output = MR Why? Examine MR and curves A > MR Produce less Why? MR = MR Correct output level Why? b < MR Produce more Why? 1
TR and TC Areas Note change in y-axis for clarity Total Returns Gray area = TR = P * Q Total Cost Red area TC = x Q 16
Net Returns Green area net returns TR - TC Breakeven Price Breakeven price - price that just covers total costs TR = TC implies economic profits are zero Price = $0.69 = min Breakeven Price Breakeven price - price that just covers total costs TR = TC implies economic profits are zero Price = $0.69 = min Gray area TR 17
Breakeven Price Breakeven price - price that just covers total costs TR = TC implies economic profits are zero Price = $0.69 = min Red area TC Notice profits = 0 Question At a price of $2.0, how much of total costs are being covered? Dollars.00 2.0 A) None Quantity B) Can not tell, because you need to know quantity C) Some but not all D) Curves are average curves and you can not obtain totals from averages E) All Question At a price of $2.0, how much of total costs are being covered? Total costs Total Revenue Dollars.00 2.0 A) None Quantity B) Can not tell, because you need to know quantity C) Some but not all D) Curves are average curves and you can not obtain totals from averages E) All 18
Question At a price of $.00, how much of total costs are being covered? Dollars.00 2.0 A) None Quantity B) Can not tell, because you need to know quantity C) Some but not all D) Curves are average curves and you can not obtain totals from averages E) All Question At a price of $.00, how much of total costs are being covered? Total costs Total Revenue Dollars.00 2.0 ATC AVC A) None Quantity B) Can not tell, because you need to know quantity C) Some but not all D) Curves are average curves and you can not obtain totals from averages E) All Question At which point would a profit maximizing firm produce if price =$? Why? Dollars.00 A) A B) B C) C D) D E) E A B C D E Quantity 19
Question At which point would a profit maximizing firm produce if price =$? Why? Dollars.00 A B C D E A) A MR = but decreasing -- not in stage 2 Quantity B) B MR does not = C) C MR does not = D) D MR does not = E) E MR= and increasing -- stage 2 Question What area gives the total costs? Dollars G F A B C A) AE0 B) BE0G C) CE0F D) ABG E) BCFG 0 E Quantity Question What area gives the total costs? Dollars G F A B C A) AE0 B) BE0G C) CE0F D) ABG E) BCFG 0 E Quantity 20
Question What area gives the total revenue? Dollars G F A B C A) AE0 B) BE0G C) CE0F D) ABG E) BCFG 0 E Quantity Question What area gives the total revenue? Dollars G F A B C AVC A) AE0 B) BE0G C) CE0F D) ABG E) BCFG 0 E Quantity Question What area gives profits? Dollars G F A B C A) AE0 B) BE0G C) CE0F D) ABG E) BCFG 0 E Quantity 21
Question What area gives profits? Dollars G F A B C A) AE0 B) BE0G C) CE0F D) F E) BCFG 0 E Quantity Intensity of Land Use Land the fixed factor Short Run - land usually assumed fixed Long Run - land is variable Define economic land use Intensity Refers to the relative amount of capital and labor combined with units of land in the production process - relative amounts of capital and labor high ratio implies intensive use downtown vs. ranch Two Concepts Intensive margin Extensive margin Intensive Margin of Land Concept applies to all uses of land Intensive Margin Input level associated with maximizing net returns MFC = MVP or = MR Give same point We will concentrate in cost curves 22
PRICE PRICE Price Intensive Margin Good Assume occurs at 1 units of capital 30 2 Green box = net returns Produce at MR = MR 20 1 10 Intensive margin Area of insufficient input use Area of too much input use 0 10 1 20 2 30 3 40 4 Output Intensive Margin - Average 30 Assume occurs at 10 units of capital 2 MR 20 1 Intensive margin 10 Area of insufficient input use Area of too much input use 0 10 1 20 2 30 3 40 4 Output Intensive Margin - Marginal Net returns = 0 30 2 Assume occurs at units of capital MR 20 1 10 Area of insuffici ent input use Intensive margin Area of too much input use 0 10 1 20 2 30 3 40 4 Output 23
Economic Capacity of Land Price Price Price Extensive Margin of Land Use Extensive margin large land area (low capital and labor) break even tract lowest grade of land least accessible site Occurs when operator is applying intensive level of inputs (MR=) for a given land use and finds they are using the lowest grade of land they can afford to operate Extensive Margin Good Average Marginal Intensive margins Extensive margin MR MR MR Output Output Output Continuum 1 Intensive margins 10 Extensive margin Good Average Marginal Decreasing Land Capacity 24
Price Price Economic Capacity of Land Economic Capacity of Land Continuum 1 10 Intensive margins for Best land Sub average land Good Average Marginal Decreasing Land Capacity Price Decrease / Cost Increase Good land uses less inputs 1 Average land uses less inputs 10 Marginal land taken out of production Extensive margin shifts to left Good Average Marginal Decreasing Land Capacity Price Decrease Good Intensive margin before MR before Marginal Intensive margin before MR before MR after MR after Intensive margin after Output Would not produce after Output 2
Price Price Economic Capacity of Land Price Increase / Cost Decrease Good land uses more inputs Average land uses more inputs 1 Marginal land uses more inputs 10 Sub marginal land put into production Extensive margin shifts to right Good Average Marginal Decreasing Land Capacity Good Price Increase Sub marginal Intensive margin after MR after Intensive margin after MR after MR before MR before Intensive margin before Output Intensive margin before Not producing Output Factors Influencing Intensity Type of use Commercial vs. residential vs. farming Technology For a given use Characteristics of the land Changing economic conditions Owners expectations and attitudes Technology 26
Equi-marginal Principle Equi-marginal principle If a resources is limited, maximum net returns occur when MVP is at least equal to the next best alternative (opportunity cost) MVP will be equal Example Assumptions Three tracts of land - not homogenous 30 units of the input available TVP and MVP varying between the tracts next table Input costs = $3 / unit = MFC # of Variable Inputs Different Land First Tract Second Tract Third Tract TVP MVP TVP MVP TVP MVP 1 $10 $10 9 9 8 8 6 $47 11 4 10 42 9 7 9 12 6 11 49 7 8 72 13 6 9 4 9 84 12 73 8 7 3 10 9 11 80 7 9 2 11 104 9 86 6 60 1 12 112 8 90 4 60 0 13 119 7 93 3 14 124 9 2 1 128 4 9 0 16 131 3 17 133 2 # of Variable Inputs No Constraints MFC = MVP First Tract Second Tract Third Tract TVP MVP TVP MVP TVP MVP 1 $10 $10 9 9 8 8 6 47 11 4 10 42 9 7 9 12 6 11 49 7 8 72 13 6 9 4 9 84 12 73 8 7 3 10 9 11 80 7 9 2 11 104 9 86 6 60 1 12 112 8 90 4 60 0 13 119 7 93 3 14 124 9 2 1 128 4 9 0 16 131 3 17 133 2 27
No constraints Tract Units TVP MVP 1 16 131 3 2 13 93 3 3 9 7 3 Total 38 281 Constrained to 30 units Use 10 units / grade Tract Units TVP MVP Constrained to 30 units Use to intensive margin on best land first Tract Units TVP MVP 1 16 131 3 2 13 93 3 3 1 8 8 Total 30 232 net returns = 281 3*38 = $167 net returns = 232 3*30 = $142 Constrained to 30 units Equi-marginal principle Tract Units TVP MVP 1 10 9 11 2 10 80 7 3 10 9 2 Total 30 234 1 13 119 7 2 10 80 7 3 7 49 7 Total 30 248 net returns = 234 3*30 = $144 net returns = 248 3*30 = $18 # of Variable Inputs Equi-marginal Principle First Tract Second Tract Third Tract TVP MVP TVP MVP TVP MVP 1 $10 $10 9 9 8 8 6 $47 11 4 10 42 9 7 9 12 6 11 49 7 8 72 13 6 9 4 9 84 12 73 8 7 3 10 9 11 80 7 9 2 11 104 9 86 6 60 1 12 112 8 90 4 60 0 13 119 7 93 3 14 124 9 2 1 128 4 9 0 16 131 3 17 133 2 Long Run Average Cost Curve The long run average cost (L) curve reflects points of tangency with a series of short run average total cost (S) curves. The point on the L where the following holds is the long run equilibrium position (Q LR ) of the firm: S = L = S = P LR where P LR represents the long run price and S short run marginal costs. 28
Developing the L Economies of Size Increasing returns to size increase in output is more than proportional increase in input use L is decreasing when firm is expanded Decreasing returns to size - increase in output is less than proportional increase in input use L is increasing when firm is expanded Constant returns to size - increase in output is equal to the proportional increase in input use L is horizontal when firm is expanded Returns to Size Increasing Decreasing Constant 29
What can we say about the four firms in this graph? Size 1 would lose money at price P WHY? Q 3 Firm size 2, 3 and 4 would earn a profit at price P. WHY? Q 3 30
Firm #2 s profit would be the area shown below Q 3 Firm #3 s profit would be the area shown below Q 3 Firm #4 s profit would be the area shown below Q 3 31
If price were to fall to P LR, only size 3 would not lose money; it would break-even. Size 4 would have to down size its operations! Size 1 and 2 would have to increase operations. 32