In: Economics
No. of Products |
Total Variable Costs, $ |
Total Costs $ |
Average Fixed Cost $ |
Average Variable Cost $ |
Average Total Cost $ |
Marginal Cost$ |
0 |
0 |
|||||
1 |
12 |
|||||
2 |
20 |
|||||
3 |
24 |
|||||
4 |
27 |
|||||
5 |
40 |
|||||
6 |
65 |
|||||
7 |
98 |
Difference Between ATC and MC :
Average total costs measures the average costs of producing some quantity of output.
Marginal Cost is the additional cost of producing one more unit of output. So it is not the cost per unit of all units being produced, but only the next one (or next few). Marginal cost can be calculated by taking the change in total cost and dividing it by the change in quantity.
Relationship between ATC and MC :
When ATC rises with increase in output, MC is higher than ATC, i.e., MC curve lies above the AC curve.
MC intersects ATC at its minimum point. Both are U-shaped curves on account of the operation of the law of variable proportions.
When MR = $25 the profit maximizing output is 6 because profit is maximized when MR = MC = 25. Marginal Cost of $25 is achived at output of 6
A firm might operate at loss on a short run because If the firm can cover their variable costs in the short run, then they can start to pay down some of their fixed costs by producing. If they shut down they must pay all of their fixed costs. If the firm can cover the variable costs they can use any excess revenue towards paying their fixed costs, which is a better outcome than shutting down in the short run.