1. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. c h a p t e r ten Prepared by: Fernando & Yvonn Quijano Technology, Production, and Costs

2. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 2 of 58 After studying this chapter, you should be able to: Define technology and give examples of positive and negative technological change. Distinguish between the economic short run and the economic long run. Understand the relationship between the marginal product of labor and the average product of labor. Explain and illustrate the relationship between marginal cost and average total cost. Graph average total cost, average variable cost, average fixed cost, and marginal cost. Understand how firms use the long-run average cost curve to plan. Sony Uses a Cost Curve to Determine the Price of Radios LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1 2 3 4 5 In this chapter, we will focus on the relationship between a firm’s technology and its production costs. 6

3. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 3 of 58 Technology: An Economic Definition LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1 Technology The processes a firm uses to turn inputs into outputs of goods and services. Technological change A change in the ability of a firm to produce a given level of output with a given quantity of inputs.

4. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 4 of 58 Improving Inventory Control at Wal-Mart 10 - 1 Better inventory controls have helped reduce firms’ costs.

5. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 5 of 58 The Short Run and the Long Run Short run The period of time during which at least one of the firm’s inputs is fixed. Long run A period of time long enough to allow a firm to vary all of its inputs, to adopt new technology, and to increase or decrease the size of its physical plant. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2

6. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 6 of 58 The Short Run and the Long Run The Difference between Fixed Costs and Variable Costs Total cost The cost of all the inputs a firm uses in production. Variable costs Costs that change as output changes. Fixed costs Costs that remain constant as output changes. Total Cost = Fixed Cost + Variable Cost TC = FC + VC

7. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 7 of 58 Which costs are affected by the level of output produced? a.Fixed costs. b.Variable costs. c.All costs. d.Sunk costs.

8. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 8 of 58 Which costs are affected by the level of output produced? a.Fixed costs. b.Variable costs. c.All costs. d.Sunk costs.

9. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 9 of 58 Fixed Costs in the Publishing Industry 10 - 2 COSTAMOUNT Salaries and Benefits Rent Utilities Supplies Postage Travel Subscriptions, etc. Miscellaneous Total $437,500 $75,000 $20,000 $6,000 $4,000 $8,000 $4,000 $5,000 $559,500 The salaries of editors are considered a fixed cost by publishers.

10. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 10 of 58 If the number of people in a publishing company does not go up or down with the quantity of books it publishes, then what categorization should be given to the salaries and benefits for those people? a.They are part of fixed cost. b.They are part of variable cost. c.They are an implicit cost. d.They are not considered a part of the cost of production.

11. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 11 of 58 If the number of people in a publishing company does not go up or down with the quantity of books it publishes, then what categorization should be given to the salaries and benefits for those people? a.They are part of fixed cost. b.They are part of variable cost. c.They are an implicit cost. d.They are not considered a part of the cost of production.

12. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 12 of 58 The Short Run and the Long Run Implicit versus Explicit Costs Opportunity cost The highest-valued alternative that must be given up to engage in an activity. Explicit cost A cost that involves spending money. Implicit cost A nonmonetary opportunity cost.

13. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 13 of 58 Which of the following are sometimes called accounting costs? a.Economic costs. b.Implicit costs. c.Explicit costs. d.Total variable costs.

14. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 14 of 58 Which of the following are sometimes called accounting costs? a.Economic costs. b.Implicit costs. c.Explicit costs. d.Total variable costs.

15. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 15 of 58 The Short Run and the Long Run The Production Function Jill Johnson’s Costs per Year 10 – 1 Paper Wages Lease payment for copy machines Electricity Lease payment for store Foregone salary Foregone interest Total $20,000 $48,000 $10,000 $6,000 $24,000 $30,000 $3,000 $141,000 Production Function The relationship between the inputs employed by the firm and the maximum output it can produce with those inputs.

16. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 16 of 58 Fill in the blanks. When graphing a conventional short-run production function, we place __________________ in the horizontal axis and ________________ in the vertical axis. a.output; the variable input b.the variable input; the fixed input c.the fixed input; the variable input d.the variable input; output

17. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 17 of 58 Fill in the blanks. When graphing a conventional short-run production function, we place __________________ in the horizontal axis and ________________ in the vertical axis. a.output; the variable input b.the variable input; the fixed input c.the fixed input; the variable input d.the variable input; output

18. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 18 of 58 The Short Run and the Long Run A First Look at the Relationship Between Production and Cost Short-Run Production and Cost at Jill Johnson’s Copy Store 10 – 2 QUANTITY OF WORKERS QUANTITY OF COPY MACHINES QUANTITY OF COPIES COST OF COPY MACHINES (FIXED COST) COST OF WORKERS (VARIABLE COST) TOTAL COST OF COPIES COST PER COPY (AVERAGE COST) 01234560123456 22222222222222 0 625 1325 2200 2600 2900 3100 $25 25 $0 50 100 150 200 250 300 $25 75 125 175 225 275 325 - $0.12 0.09 0.08 0.09 0.10 0.11 Average total cost Total cost divided by the quantity of output produced.

19. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 19 of 58 The Short Run and the Long Run A First Look at the Relationship Between Production and Cost 10 - 1 Graphing Total cost and Average Total Cost at Jill Johnson’s Photocopy Store

20. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 20 of 58 The Marginal Product of Labor and the Average Product of Labor LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3 Marginal product of labor The additional output a firm produces as a result of hiring one more worker. The Law of Diminishing Returns Law of diminishing returns The principle that, at some point, adding more of a variable input, such as labor, to the same amount of a fixed input, such as capital, will cause the marginal product of the variable to decline.

21. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 21 of 58 The Law of Diminishing Returns QUANTITY OF WORKERS QUANTITY OF COPY MACHINES QUANTITY OF COPIES MARGINAL PRODUCT OF LABOR 01234560123456 22222222222222 0 625 1,325 2,200 2,600 2,900 3,100 - 625 700 875 400 300 200 Marginal and Average Product of Labor at Jill Johnson’s Copy Store 10 – 3 The Marginal Product of Labor and the Average Product of Labor

22. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 22 of 58 Graphing Production 10 - 2 Total Output and the Marginal Product of Labor The Marginal Product of Labor and the Average Product of Labor

23. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 23 of 58 Refer to the graph below. During the trajectory of the curve from point A to point B, which of the following is more likely to occur? a.Specialization. b.Diminishing returns. c.Division of labor. d.None of the above.

24. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 24 of 58 Refer to the graph below. During the trajectory of the curve from point A to point B, which of the following is more likely to occur? a.Specialization. b.Diminishing returns. c.Division of labor. d.None of the above.

25. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 25 of 58 Adam Smith’s Famous Account of the Division of Labor in a Pin Factory 10 - 3 The gains from division of labor and specialization are as important to firms today as they were in the eighteenth century when Adam Smith first discussed them.

26. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 26 of 58 The Relationship between Marginal and Average Product Average product of labor The total output produced by a firm divided by the quantity of workers. The Marginal Product of Labor and the Average Product of Labor

27. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 27 of 58 An Example of Marginal and Average Values: College Grades 10 - 3 Marginal and Average GPAs The Marginal Product of Labor and the Average Product of Labor

28. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 28 of 58 Which of the following statements about the relationship between marginal and average product is correct? a.Whenever the marginal product of labor is less than the average product of labor, the average product of labor must be increasing. b.Whenever the marginal product of labor is greater than the average product of labor, the average product of labor must be increasing. c.Whenever the marginal product of labor is greater than the average product of labor, the marginal product of labor must be decreasing. d.Whenever the marginal product of labor is less than the average product of labor, the average product of labor must be increasing.

29. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 29 of 58 Which of the following statements about the relationship between marginal and average product is correct? a.Whenever the marginal product of labor is less than the average product of labor, the average product of labor must be increasing. b.Whenever the marginal product of labor is greater than the average product of labor, the average product of labor must be increasing. c.Whenever the marginal product of labor is greater than the average product of labor, the marginal product of labor must be decreasing. d.Whenever the marginal product of labor is less than the average product of labor, the average product of labor must be increasing.

30. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 30 of 58 The Relationship Between Short-Run Production and Short-Run Cost LEARNING OBJECTIVE 4 Marginal Cost Marginal Cost The change in a firm’s total cost from producing one more unit of a good or service.

31. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 31 of 58 Why Are the Marginal and Average Cost Curves U-Shaped? 10 - 4 Jill Johnson’s Marginal Cost and Average Cost of Producing Copies The Relationship Between Short-Run Production and Short-Run Cost

32. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 32 of 58 The Relationship Between Marginal and Average Cost 10 - 1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE 4

33. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 33 of 58 Graphing Cost Curves Average fixed cost Fixed cost divided by the quantity of output produced. Average variable cost Variable cost divided by the quantity of units produced. Average total cost = ATC = TC/Q Average fixed cost = AFC = FC/Q Average variable cost = AVC = VC/Q ATC = AFC + AVC LEARNING OBJECTIVE 5

34. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 34 of 58 Graphing Cost Curves 10 - 5 Costs at Jill Johnson’s Copy Store

35. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 35 of 58 Refer to the graph below. How much is the value of total fixed cost? a.2,400 b.3,400 c.5,800 d.None of the above. Total fixed cost cannot be computed using this graph.

36. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 36 of 58 Refer to the graph below. How much is the value of total fixed cost? a.2,400 b.3,400 c.5,800 d.None of the above. Total fixed cost cannot be computed using this graph.

37. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 37 of 58 Costs in the Long Run LEARNING OBJECTIVE 6 Economies of Scale Long-run average cost curve A curve showing the lowest cost at which the firm is able to produce a given quantity of output in the long run, when no inputs are fixed. Economies of scale Economies of scale exist when a firm’s long-run average costs fall as it increases output.

38. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 38 of 58 Costs in the Long Run Economies of Scale Constant returns to scale Constant returns to scale exist when a firm’s long-run average costs remain unchanged as it increases output. Minimum efficient scale The level of output at which all economies of scale have been exhausted. Diseconomies of scale Exist when a firm’s long-run average costs rise as it increases output.

39. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 39 of 58 Costs in the Long Run Long-Run Average Total Cost Curves for Bookstores 10 - 6 The Relationship between Short-Run Average Cost and Long-Run Average Cost

40. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 40 of 58 Using Long-Run Average Cost Curves to Understand Business Strategy 10 - 2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE 6

41. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 41 of 58 When does the law of diminishing returns apply? a.When there are diseconomies of scale. b.In the short run only. c.In the long run only. d.In both the short run and the long run.

42. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 42 of 58 When does the law of diminishing returns apply? a.When there are diseconomies of scale. b.In the short run only. c.In the long run only. d.In both the short run and the long run.

43. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 43 of 58 The Colossal River Rouge: Diseconomies of Scale at the Ford Motor Company 10 - 4 Is it possible for a factory to be too big?

44. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 44 of 58 Don’t Confuse Diminishing Returns with Diseconomies of Scale

45. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 45 of 58 Conclusion A Summary of Definitions of Cost 10 – 4 TERMDEFINITION SYMBOLS AND EQUATIONS Total costThe value of all the inputs used by a firm TC Fixed costCosts that remain constant when a firm’s level of output changes FC Variable costCosts that change when the firm’s level of output changes VC Marginal costThe increase in total cost resulting from producing another unit of output Average total costTotal cost divided by the quantity of units produced Average fixed costFixed cost divided by the quantity of units produced Average variable cost Variable cost divided by the quantity of units produced Implicit costA nonmonetary opportunity cost - Explicit costA cost that involves spending money-

46. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 46 of 58 It’s ‘Win-Win’ as Samsung, Sony Join on Flat Screens

47. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 47 of 58 Average fixed cost Average variable cost Average product of labor Average total cost Constant returns to scale Diseconomies of scale Economies of scale Explicit cost Fixed costs Implicit cost Law of diminishing returns Long run Long-run average cost curve Marginal cost Marginal product of labor Minimum efficient scale Opportunity cost Production function Short run Technological change Technology Total cost Variable costs

48. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 48 of 58 Appendix 10A: Using Isoquants and Isocosts to Understand Production and Cost Isoquants An Isoquant Graph Isoquant A curve showing all the combinations of two inputs, such as capital and labor, that will produce the same level of output.

49. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 49 of 58 Isoquants The Slope of an Isoquant Marginal rate of technical substitution (MRTS) The slope of an isoquant; represents the rate at which a firm is able to substitute one input for another, while keeping the level of output constant. 10A - 1 Isoquants Appendix 10A: Using Isoquants and Isocosts to Understand Production and Cost

50. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 50 of 58 Isocost Lines Isocost line All the combinations of two inputs, such as capital and labor, that have the same total cost. Appendix 10A: Using Isoquants and Isocosts to Understand Production and Cost

51. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 51 of 58 Isocost Lines The Slope and Position of the Isocost Line 10A - 2 The Isocost Line Appendix 10A: Using Isoquants and Isocosts to Understand Production and Cost

52. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 52 of 58 Choosing the Cost-Minimizing Combination of Capital and Labor 10A - 3 The Position of the Isocost Line 10A - 4 Choosing Capital and Labor to Minimize Total Cost Appendix 10A: Using Isoquants and Isocosts to Understand Production and Cost

53. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 53 of 58 Choosing the Cost-Minimizing Combination of Capital and Labor Different Input Price Ratios Lead to Different Input Choices 10A - 5 Changing Input Prices Affects the Cost-Minimizing Input Choice Appendix 10A: Using Isoquants and Isocosts to Understand Production and Cost

54. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 54 of 58 The Changing Input Mix in Film Animation A change in the price of labor relative to capital in the production of animated films led to a large reduction in the employment of animators. 10A - 1

55. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 55 of 58 Choosing the Cost-Minimizing Combination of Capital and Labor Another Look at Cost Minimization Appendix 10A: Using Isoquants and Isocosts to Understand Production and Cost

56. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 56 of 58 Determining the Optimal Combination of Inputs 10A -1 Marginal Product of Capital Marginal Product of Labor Wage rate Rental price of machines 3000 copies 100 copies $50 per day $600 per day

57. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 57 of 58 The Expansion Path Expansion path A curve showing a firm’s cost- minimizing combination of inputs for every level of output. 10A - 6 The Expansion Path Appendix 10A: Using Isoquants and Isocosts to Understand Production and Cost

58. © 2006 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Economics R. Glenn Hubbard, Anthony Patrick O’Brien—1 st ed. CHAPTER 10: Technology, Production, and Costs 58 of 58 Expansion path Isocost line Isoquant Marginal rate of technical substitution (MRTS)