In: Economics
For each of the following production functions, determine whether it exhibits increasing, constant or decreasing returns to scale:
a) Q = K + L
b) Q = L + L/K
c) Q = Min(2K,2L)
d) Q = (L5 )(K5)
a) Q=K+L
if we increase both K and L by proportion
then Q = K + L = (K+L) = Q
Since output increases by the same proportion as the inputs, therefore, this production function exhibits constant return to scale.
b) Q = L + L/K
if we increase both K and L by proportion
Q = L + (L/K) = (L+ L/K) = Q
This also exhibits Constant return to scale
c) Q = Min(2K, 2L)
This is a fixed proportion production function where both the inputs are used in fixed proportion. This also exhibits Constant return to scale
d) Q = (L5 , K5)
if we increase both K and L by proportion
Q = (L)5 + (K)5 = 5 (L5 , K5) = 5 Q
This implies increasing return to scale