Question

A firm uses the inputs of fertilizer, labor, and hothouses to produce roses. Suppose thatwhen the...

A firm uses the inputs of fertilizer, labor, and hothouses to produce roses. Suppose thatwhen the quantity of labor and hothouses is fixed, the relationship between the quantity offertilizer and the number of roses produced is given by the following table:

Tons of fertilizer / month No of roses/ month Tons of fertilizer / month No of roses/ month
0 0 5 2500
1 500 6 2600
2 100 7 2500
3 1700 8 2000
4 2200 - -

(Hint, write out the average and marginal product for each ton of fertilizer)
1. What is the average product of fertilizer when 4 tons are used? (2m)
2. What is the marginal product of the sixth ton of fertilizer? (2m)
3. Does this total product function exhibit diminishing marginal returns? If so, over
what quantities of fertilizer is it diminishing?
4. What is the efficient level of output it must produce at?  

Homework Answers

Answer #1

APL = Q / L

MPL = Change in Q / Change in L

L Q APL MPL
0 0
1 500 500 500
2 1000 500 500
3 1700 566.67 1200
4 2200 550 1000
5 2500 500 1500
6 2600 433.33 1100
7 2500 357.14 1400
8 2000 250 600

(1)

When L = 4, APL = 550

(2)

When L = 6, MPL = 1100

(3)

Starting 6th ton of fertilizer, MPL is decreasing with increase in L. So diminishing returns occurs from 6th ton of fertilizer.

(4)

Production is efficient when MPL is maximized (= 1500) and Q = 2500.

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