Question

Difficulty: MediumShort-Run Cost Concepts and Calculations

Match the short-run cost concepts in List I with their corresponding mathematical definitions or behavioral characteristics in List II.

  • Marginal Cost (MCMC)Addition to total cost resulting from producing one additional unit (ΔTCΔQ\frac{\Delta TC}{\Delta Q})
  • Average Fixed Cost (AFCAFC)Continuously declines as total output increases (TFCQ\frac{TFC}{Q})
  • Average Variable Cost (AVCAVC)Variable expense per unit of output produced (TVCQ\frac{TVC}{Q})
  • Total Fixed Cost (TFCTFC)Remains constant in total magnitude regardless of the output level

Answer

Marginal Cost (MCMC) matches with the addition to total cost resulting from producing one additional unit (ΔTCΔQ\frac{\Delta TC}{\Delta Q}); Average Fixed Cost (AFCAFC) matches with continuously declining as total output increases (TFCQ\frac{TFC}{Q}); Average Variable Cost (AVCAVC) matches with variable expense per unit of output produced (TVCQ\frac{TVC}{Q}); Total Fixed Cost (TFCTFC) matches with remaining constant in total magnitude regardless of the output level.
Each short-run cost concept correctly aligns with its economic definition and formula: Marginal Cost measures the incremental cost of producing one more unit, Average Fixed Cost decreases continuously as output increases, Average Variable Cost measures per-unit variable costs, and Total Fixed Cost stays unchanged regardless of output levels.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the definition of Marginal Cost (MCMC)
MC=ΔTCΔQMC = \frac{\Delta TC}{\Delta Q}
Marginal cost measures the incremental increase in total cost resulting from producing one additional unit of output.
2
Analyze the behavior of Average Fixed Cost (AFCAFC)
AFC=TFCQAFC = \frac{TFC}{Q}, which falls as QQ expands.
Because total fixed cost is constant, dividing it by an increasing quantity produces a continuously decreasing value.
3
Identify the formula for Average Variable Cost (AVCAVC)
AVC=TVCQAVC = \frac{TVC}{Q}
Average variable cost isolates variable expenditure per unit of output.
4
Define Total Fixed Cost (TFCTFC)
TFCTFC is invariant to production level.
Fixed costs are incurred even at zero output and do not alter with changes in short-run production.

Key Concept

Short-run cost concepts, formulas, and behavioral curves
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