Production Theory: Managerial Economics - Peterson, Lewis, Jain 4 Edition, Pearson Publication
Production Theory: Managerial Economics - Peterson, Lewis, Jain 4 Edition, Pearson Publication
Total Product Curve
Total, Average, and Marginal
product
The diagram shows a typical total product
curve.
In this example, output increases as more
inputs are employed up until point A.
The maximum output possible with this
production process is Qm. (If there are other
inputs used in the process, they are assumed
to be fixed.)
Total, Average, and Marginal
product
The average physical product is the total
production divided by the number of units of
variable input employed. It is the output of
each unit of input.
If there are 10 employees working on a
production process that manufactures 50
units per day, then the average product of
variable labour input is 5 units per day.
verage and Marginal Product Curve
To t a l, Av e ra g e , a n d Ma rg in a l
p ro d u c t
Total, Average, and Marginal
product
The average product typically varies as more of the
input is employed, so this relationship can also be
expressed as a chart or as a graph.
The marginal physical product of a variable input is
the change in total output due to a one unit
change in the variable input (called the discrete
marginal product) or
Alternatively the rate of change in total output due
to an infinitesimally small change in the variable
input (called the continuous marginal product).
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