A Report
By
P.T. Attygalle
Business Economics
My advice to the readers who follow this guide.
This is a report that I created and published with my knowledge and experience in Business Economics of 2nd year 1st schemester. Maybe it's not a fully completed guide and it may have some errors too.
So, if you are following this try not to use any copy-pasting technique. Also, I have disabled that feature and if you copy something and paste it on your assignments, the result will reduce or cancel the full marks. Because there are so many tools that we can check the plagiarism. So take this content, study, and make a new one with your own words. All prices are in the Sri Lankan Rupees. You can convert them into your currency from google currency converter.
Table of Contents
- Production Process
- Building a PC for Educational Package
- Cost structure Fixed cost & Variable cost
- Reasons for incurring this kind of cost
- Short-run production process
- Identifying the fixed cost and variable cost relating to the production level
- How to calculate TC / TVC and TFC?
- Total cost for our production levels and behavior of the cost curves
- The behavior of the cost curves of short-run
- What are the solutions to overcome the issues of this behavior of the cost curves?
- Profit Maximization in short-run – TR / TC approach
- Average cost (AC), Average variable cost (AVC), and average fixed cost (FC) for our production levels and behavior
- How to calculate average costs?
- The behavior of AC/AVC and AFC
- How to overcome the issues of this behavior of the cost curves?
- Profit maximization output in the short run
- The behavior of the marginal cost (MC) and average total cost (AC/ATC) in the short run
- Relationship between Average Cost and Marginal Cost
- Average product (AP) and average cost (AC)
- What is the optimum production level?
- Long-run production of V Tech Computers
- The long-run cost structure of the V tech computers
- Is there any relationship between short-run and long-run ATC’s/AC’s?
- The Law of Returns to Scale
- Which point would you wish to choose to do the production?
- Long-run equilibrium – Profit maximization in the long run
- Profit maximizing output total and marginal approaches
- Profit maximizing output - Total approach
- Profit maximizing output – Marginal approach
Production Process
Building a PC for Educational Package
1st step – Take the PC case and install the motherboard
2nd step
– Install the CPU and cooler apply thermal paste
3rd step
– Install PSU
4th step
– Install DVD writer
5th Step
– Install the hard drive
6th step
– Install the graphic card
7th step
– Install CMOS battery
8th step
– Install the ram
9th step – Close the case and plug in all of the other
accessories (power cable, mouse, keyboard, speakers, webcam)
10th step –
Connect the monitor
Cost structure Fixed cost & Variable cost
Fixed Cost
Building rent |
20000 |
Setting up
workspace |
25000 |
Screwdrivers
and tools |
8000 |
Software |
5000 |
Insurance |
2000 |
Total |
62000 |
Variable
Cost
PC case- Samsung |
800 |
Motherboard –
G31 |
1800 |
Core i3 1st
Generation Processor (540-3.2Ghz) |
1000 |
Ram 4GB -
DDR3 |
2300 |
Hard drive –
500GB |
1500 |
VGA Card
512MB – AMD Radeon HD 6350 |
1250 |
400W four-pin
power supply |
600 |
Monitor |
2500 |
Power cable |
100 |
Speaker |
350 |
Mouse |
200 |
Keyboard |
350 |
Webcam –
1080p |
1200 |
DVD writer |
750 |
CPU cooler |
800 |
Thermal paste |
100 |
CMOS battery |
50 |
Wages for
Setup 1 PC - Technician |
300 |
Wages for
software assistant - 1 PC |
200 |
Total |
16150 |
Reasons for incurring this kind of cost
As a company, we need to spend for our production process.
When it came to short-run production, we have to face two kinds of cost structures.
Those are Fixed cost (TFC) and variable cost (TVC).
What is TFC – Total fixed cost is the cost of the fixed
assets that do not vary with production. Examples of fixed costs include
rental lease payments, salaries, insurance, property taxes, interest expenses,
depreciation, and potentially some utilities.
What is TVC – Total variable cost is the cost paid to the
variable input. Inputs include labor, capital, materials, power, and land, and
buildings. Variable inputs are inputs whose use vary with output.
Also during the short-run production process, this variable
cost will be increased with the production because of the variable inputs.
Short-run production process
Our short-run production is depending on fixed and variable
inputs which we mentioned above cost structure. We’ll try our best the
increase our short-run production and reduce the cost of one product. It
means the company will try its best for production efficiency.
Our product equation
Q = f (L, K, R, T)
(L = Labor, K = Capital, R = Row Material, T =
Technology)
Identifying the fixed cost and variable cost
relating to the production level
This is the total fixed cost and total variable cost for
some of our production levels.
Q |
Workers |
FC |
TVC |
TC |
0 |
0 |
62000 |
0 |
62000 |
1 |
3 |
62000 |
48450 |
110450 |
2 |
5 |
62000 |
80750 |
142750 |
3 |
6 |
62000 |
96900 |
158900 |
4 |
8 |
62000 |
129200 |
191200 |
5 |
11 |
62000 |
177650 |
239650 |
6 |
15 |
62000 |
242250 |
304250 |
How to calculate TC / TVC and TFC?
TC=TVC+TFC or AVC x Q
TVC=TC-TFC or AVC x Q
TFC=TC-TVC or AFC x Q
The behavior of the cost curves of short-run
Short-run production of our company depends on the variable inputs and the fixed
inputs. Because of we couldn’t able to upgrade our technology and fixed inputs within
a limited time.
The behavior of the TFC curve
When
we illustrate it graphically we can see a straight line parallel to the
horizontal axis. In the short run, our fixed cost is 62,000 RS and it’ll be
never increased. This means that the total fixed cost will remain the same even if
the firm produces no output or produces at full capacity during the short run.
The behavior of the TVC curve
The cost that increases with the production level is known as the TVC. When the firm isn’t producing anything TVC is 0 (above chart). According to the above chart, we can see that the TVC curve gets an inverted S upward sloping curve. The main reason for the shape of the TVC curve is the operation of the law of variable proportion. From the 0 levels of production to 3, it’s increasing a lower rate of cost (above MC). Since then, TVC is increasing at a higher rate.
What is the law of variable proportions
the
law exhibits the relationship between the units of a variable factor and the
amount of output in the short term. This is assuming that all other factors are
constant.
The
law states that keeping other factors constant, when you increase the variable
factor, then the total product initially increases at an increasing rate, then
increases at a diminishing rate, and eventually starts declining.
The behavior of TC curve
This
TC curve is consisting of the value of the TVC curve and the TFC curve (TC = TFC +
TVC). This curve is also an inverted S upward sloping curve. The slope of this TC
curve depends on this TVC curve also the difference between of this TC and
the TFC curves will depend on the TFC curve. TC curve is placed above the TVC
curve at a vertical distance equal to the TFC.
What are the solutions to overcome the issues of
this behavior of the cost curves?
When we consider the above graph, we can see our cost
curves (TVC, TC) gets inverted S upward sloping shape. So it’s 0-3 area TVC is
increasing a lower rate after that it’s increasing a higher rate. In here we
need to clarify one best point for our production process. So we need to
illustrate the profit curve for deciding the profit maximization output. In the short run, we will
choose the maximum production level which we can achieve with this TFC and the
technology to overcoming the issues of this cost curve.
Profit Maximization in short-run – TR / TC approach
Below the level of output 0-5 area company incur losses
because TC is higher than TR. Then when it came to 6 company earn profits.
In the 11th level of output, they can earn the maximum level of profit.
In here, the point
where TC and TR will intersect is known as the break-even point (Q= 2.5).
However,
this approach is not free from defects. Firstly, a visual inspection suggests the maximum distance between
TR and TC. But it is not easy to determine the exact volume of output where the
vertical distance between TR and TC curves is the greatest.
Secondly, we do
not know the price per unit of output sold. To obtain price, we will have to
divide total revenue by the total output.
Average cost (AC), Average variable cost (AVC), and
average fixed cost (FC) for our production levels and behavior
Let’s move on to calculate and illustrate the average
cost, average variable and average fixed cost of the Educational Package
How to calculate average costs?
AFC=TFC÷Q
or ATC-AVC
AVC=TVC÷Q
or ATC-AFC
AC=TC÷Q
or AVC+AFC
The behavior of AC/AVC and AFC
In here we can see the cost of one unit of our Educational
Package.
Average Fixed Cost
(AFC) - Fixed cost per unit of output.
Our TFC is RS 62,000 during the short-run production process
and also we can’t increase it within a limited time period. Therefore, that TFC
will remain to our whole production period in the short run. So, our AFC is
illustrated from this amount divided by the level of production. As a result
of this, our AFC curve gets a downward sloping shape (above chart). Since TFC is
constant, any increase in output decreases the AFC. While the AFC can become
really small, it is never zero.
Average variable cost
(AVC) - variable cost per unit of output
Average variable cost is the total variable cost divided by
the number of units produced. So in here, we can see our TVC curve will get a U shape during the short run.
Usually, the AVC falls as the output increases from zero to 4. After that, AVC
rises steeply due to the operation
of diminishing returns.
Law of diminishing
returns.
When we increase our production level using variable
factors while fixed inputs remain the same, our average production cost is decreased
until 4 units of outputs. After that our AVC again increased. This will cause
the U shape of the AVC curve. When increasing variable inputs while technology
and fixed inputs are the same the result will be increasing variable cost after it
reaches a maximum point of output.
Assumptions
·
Technology is assumed to be given and unchanged.
·
There must be a fixed factor (at least one).
·
All units of variable factors of production are
assumed to be homogeneous.
Average cost (AC) – total cost per unit of output
The average total cost is the sum of the average variable
cost and the average fixed costs. According to the above graph, this average
cost curve will also get a U shape. This ATC curve will depend on the behavior
of AVC and the AFC. In the beginning, both AVC and AFC curves fall (graph).
Hence, the ATC curve falls as well. Next, the AVC curve starts rising in the 4th
level of production, but the AFC curve is still falling. Hence, the ATC curve
continues to fall. This is because, production level 4 to 5, fall in the AFC
curve is greater than the rise in the AVC curve. As the output rises further,
the AVC curve rises sharply. This offsets the fall in the AFC curve. Hence, the
ATC curve falls initially and then rises.
How to overcome the issues of this behavior of the
cost curves?
In here we can understand we were unable to find a suitable
point for the company to operate.
Profit maximization output in the short run
To overcome the issues of these cost curves company needs to
find the best point for operating their business in the average cost curves. That
means we need to find our profit maximization output.
The Profit Maximization Rule states that if a firm chooses
to maximize its profits, it must choose that level of output where Marginal
Cost (MC) is equal to Marginal Revenue (MR) and the Marginal Cost curve is
rising. In other words, it must produce at a level where MC = MR.
According to our calculations, there are two points in the
above graph which MC equals MR (production levels 1 and 6). But in production level 1, we can produce more it’ll be helpful to cover TFC. So
production level 6 is the best point for the company to operate according to the
marginal approach.
The behavior of the marginal cost (MC) and average total
cost (AC/ATC) in the short run
Already we were able to identify the behavior of the AC
curve. Let’s talk about the MC.
What is marginal cost
(MC)
Marginal cost is the addition made to the cost of production
by producing an additional unit of the output.
MC=∆TC/∆Q
Relationship between Average Cost and Marginal Cost
·
When we consider the average cost and the
marginal cost of our company, we can understand 0 level of output to 4th
unit of output, our AC curve is decreasing. During this period our MC curve is
decreasing at a higher rate than the AC curve (above chart).
·
From then, our AC curve started to increase.
During the period of increasing of AC curve, we can see our MC curve is also
increasing at a higher rate than the AC curve.
If the average cost is a minimum, then marginal cost = average cost
Average product (AP) and average cost (AC)
·
According to the following charts our average
cost curve is decreasing to the 0 – 4th level of output. In the 4th
unit of output, our average cost reaches the minimum amount. From then it’s
started to increase again. The meaning of that is our production cost for one
unit is decreasing until we increase our production level to 4 then again it’s decreasing.
·
Also our average
product is increasing to the 0-4th level of output. And it becomes to
the maximum amount of in the 4th unit. When we increase the
production level more than the 4th unit, again our average product
is started to decrease.
·
So in here we can see when the average cost
decreases, the average product is increasing. When it becomes to the minimum point, an average product reaches the maximum point (in the 4th unit). From
then, the average cost started to increase again. So, therefore, our average product
again started to decrease.
·
The average cost (AC) curve looks like the
average product (AP) curve turned upside down with the minimum point of the AC
curve corresponding to the maximum point of the AP curve.
What is the optimum production level?
In here we can see best production level for the company is
4th unit of output level. Because of that, at that point, the average cost of
the company is at its minimum level. Also, the average product curve reaches
its maximum level in the 4th unit of output. So according to these
charts, we can assume that unit 4 is the optimum level for the production.
Long-run production of V Tech Computers
After once we reach the targets of the short-run production
of our company, we were able to upgrade our technology, and also we were able to
change and insert more fixed factors to the business. As a result of this in
the long run we don’t have any fixed inputs. Because all the factors are
variable. Also, the company expects to reduce production costs by improving
technology.
·
As we expected, we hope to start our new store
in the Colombo area.
·
Also the company will move on to a new place which is owned to the company.
·
With the new technical software improvements, we
don’t need to buy them.
· Our market researchers identified there are some persons in the country, who are willing to buy laptops and other computer accessories in the global market like eBay / Ali Express. So company decides to start an online store on eBay.
Long-run cost structure of the V tech computers
New building |
1,000,000 |
Setting up workspace |
150,000 |
Screwdrivers and tools |
50,000 |
New software |
50,000 |
Insurance |
5,000 |
Machines |
250,000 |
For new technology |
400,000 |
Cost for new store-Colombo |
2,000,000 |
Global market place |
25,000 |
Total |
3,930,000 |
Long run
average cost- Educational package |
12,000 |
Is there any relationship between short-run and
long-run ATC’s/AC’s?
The simplest answer to this question is yes. Let’s see what
is the relationship between short-run and long-run ATC / AC.
In the long run, all costs of a firm are variable. The
factors of production can be used in varying proportions to deal with increased output. The firm having a time period long enough can build a larger-scale or type of plant to produce the anticipated output. The shape of the long-run average cost curve is also U-shaped but is flatter than the short-run curve
as is illustrated in the above diagram.
The relationship Between Short-Run and Long-Run Average Total Costs shows how a firm’s LRAC curve is derived.
This long-run - LRAC (LAC) curve is illustrated using short-run ATC curves. The shape of the LRAC curve depends on these AC curve. The LRAC
curve is found by taking the lowest average total cost curve at each level of
output. As of this example when we came to the minimum value of each AC curve
(AC1-AC9) we can see the long-run average cost (LRAC) curve.
The reason for this ‘U’ shape of the LRAC curve is the law of returns to scale.
The Law of Returns to Scale
The law of returns to scale explains the proportional change
in output with respect to the proportional change in inputs. In other words, the
law of returns to scale states when there is a proportionate change in the
amounts of inputs, the behavior of output also changes.
Types of the law of
return to scale
·
Increasing Returns to Scale- LRAC will
decrease. (0-4th unit of output in the above chart)
·
Constant Return to Scale- LRAC will be constant
(4-5th level of output)
· Decreasing Returns to Scale- LRAC will increase (5-9th level of output)
Which point would you wish to choose to do the
production?
Long
run equilibrium – Profit maximization in long run
Profit maximization
depends on producing a given quantity of output at the lowest possible cost,
and the long-run equilibrium in perfect competition requires zero economic
profit. Therefore, firms ultimately produce the output level associated with
minimum long-run average total cost.
The marginal cost must pass
through the minimum point of the average total cost. Therefore, in the long-run
equilibrium, price equals three costs.
·
minimum long-run average total cost- LRATC
·
the minimum point on one short-run
average-total-cost curve- SRATC
·
marginal cost- MC
(The illustration shows
the long-run equilibrium in perfect competition.)
This price also
corresponds to the minimum long-run average total cost to ensure zero economic
profit in the long run. Thus, new firms have no incentive to enter the market,
and existing firms have no incentive to leave the market. Price or marginal revenue
equals marginal cost at Q0, ensuring that profit is maximized. The long-run
equilibrium requires that both average total cost is minimized and price equals
average total cost (zero economic profit is earned).
Profit maximizing output total and marginal
approaches
Profit
maximizing output - Total approach
In the total approach, if we need to calculate the profit
maximization output, we need to draw the total revenue and find the revenue of
the company of each production level. Then we can illustrate the profit curve.
So in here, we can see 0-2.5 production area companies incur
losses. Because TR is lower than TC. When it becomes to 3rd unit, the company started to earn profits because TC is lower than TR. But there will be one point for profit maximization. According to these calculations, in the 5th
unit of the production company can reach the maximum amount of the profit. So
we can identify it as the profit maximization output.
Profit maximizing output – Marginal approach
The Profit Maximization Rule states that if a firm chooses to maximize its profits, it must choose that level of output where Marginal Cost (MC) is equal to Marginal Revenue (MR) and the Marginal Cost curve is rising. In other words, it must produce at a level where MC = MR.
According to our calculations, there are two points in the
above graph in which MC equals MR (production levels 1 and 6). But in production level 1 we can produce more it’ll be helpful to cover TFC. So
production level 6 is the best point for the company to operate according to
the marginal approach.