7. Long-run average cost curves
The following graph shows the short-run average total cost curves and the long-run average cost curve for a publishing firm. The five marked quantities indicate points of tangency between each short-run average total cost curve (SRATCSRATC) and the long-run average cost curve (LRACLRAC); for example, Q1Q1 marks the point of tangency between SRATC1SRATC1 and LRACLRAC.
The orange point on SRATC1SRATC1 indicates the firm's current output level in the short run (Q2Q2).
COST PER UNITQUANTITY OF OUTPUTSRATC1Q1SRATC2Q2SRATC3Q3SRATC4Q4SRATC5Q5LRAC
In the long run, if the firm decides to keep output at its initial level, what will it likely do?
Shut down
Stay on SRATC1SRATC1 but decrease to the point touching LRACLRAC
Shift to operate on SRATC2SRATC2
Shift to operate on SRATC3SRATC3
At which output level (or range of output levels) is this firm operating at the ideal plant size? Assuming that it cannot change it’s current cost curve.
Q3Q3
Q2Q2
0 to Q3Q3
Q2Q2 to Q4Q4
Q4
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