In: Economics
On a graph, draw all the following
a. The average fixed cost curve (AFC)
b. The average total cost curve (ATC)
c. The average Variable cost curve (AVC)
d. The marginal cost curve (MC)
EXPLAIN THE REASONING BEHIND THE SHAPE AND LOCATION OF EACH CURVE
The Average cost and average
variable cost curves are U shaped because of application of law of
returns to factor which ststes that as more and more variable
inputs are employed along with the fixed factors, the total product
first increases with an increasing rate, then at decreasing rate.
The marginal product finally becomes negative.
The increasing rate stage pulls the average cost/average variable
cost down and decreasing rate or MP becoming negative stage will
take the AVC and ATC curve up.
The fixed costs are always constant. Average fixed cost is per unit
fixed cost. So with an increase in output, the average fixed cost
tends to fall continuously. MC cuts AVC and ATc at its minimum and
rises faster than AC.