Question

Difficulty: EasyShort-Run Cost Concepts and Calculations

Match each short-run cost concept on the left with its correct definition or property on the right.

  • Total Fixed Cost (TFC)Cost that remains constant regardless of the quantity of output produced
  • Marginal Cost (MC)The addition to total cost resulting from producing one extra unit of output
  • Average Variable Cost (AVC)Total variable cost divided by the total quantity of output produced
  • Average Fixed Cost (AFC)Total fixed cost divided by quantity, which continuously declines as output increases

Answer

Total Fixed Cost (TFC) matches with 'Cost that remains constant regardless of the quantity of output produced'; Marginal Cost (MC) matches with 'The addition to total cost resulting from producing one extra unit of output'; Average Variable Cost (AVC) matches with 'Total variable cost divided by the total quantity of output produced'; Average Fixed Cost (AFC) matches with 'Total fixed cost divided by quantity, which continuously declines as output increases'.
Total Fixed Cost represents expenses that remain constant regardless of output. Marginal Cost measures the additional cost incurred when producing one extra unit. Average Variable Cost is total variable cost per unit of output. Average Fixed Cost is total fixed cost per unit of output, which declines continuously as output expands.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the definition of Total Fixed Cost (TFC)
TFC is independent of output volume
By definition, fixed costs remain unchanged regardless of how much output is produced in the short run.
2
Identify the definition of Marginal Cost (MC)
MC is the addition to total cost from producing one more unit
Marginal refers to incremental change, calculated as MC=ΔTCΔQMC = \frac{\Delta TC}{\Delta Q}.
3
Identify the definition of Average Variable Cost (AVC)
AVC is variable cost per unit of output
Average variable cost is calculated by dividing total variable cost by total output (AVC=TVCQAVC = \frac{TVC}{Q}).
4
Identify the definition of Average Fixed Cost (AFC)
AFC is fixed cost per unit, which declines continuously as output rises
Since TFC is constant, dividing it by an increasing output QQ causes AFC to continuously diminish.

Key Concept

Definitions and properties of short-run cost concepts
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