What is the elasticity of substitution of a two inputs that are perfectly complements? Explain why when two inputs are perfect complements the isoquant is right-angled.
Elasticity of substitution is a measure of the degree by which one input can be substituted for the other. If two inputs are perfect complements, they are used together in some pre ascertained proportion, and hence can't be substituted amongst each other. In this case the elastcity of subsitution is zero.
When two inputs are perfect complements, they are always used in some constant proportion. Any amount of extra quantity of one good, beyond the required proportion, doesn't yield any extra quantityy to the producer. As a result, the production function is a min function, which means, the minimum of the two quantities of input gets produced. It is because of this nature of the production function, that the isoquants are right angled .
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