Without using a Lagrangian, find the cost minimizing levels of L and K for the production function q = L^.6K^.4 if the price of labor =10, the price of capital = 15, and desired output = 100. What is the total cost to produce that output?
Cost is minimized when MPL/MPK = w/r = 10/15 = 2/3
MPL = q/L = 0.6 x (K/L)0.4
MPK = q/K = 0.4 x (L/K)0.6
MPL/MPK = (0.6/0.4) x (K/L) = 3K/2L = 2/3
K = 4L/9
Substituting in production function:
L0.6K0.4 = 100
L0.6(4L/9)0.4 = 100
L0.6L0.4 x (4/9)0.4 = 100
L x 0.72 = 100
L = 138.89
K = (4 x 138.89) / 9 = 61.73
Total cost = wL + rK = (10 x 138.89) + (15 x 61.73) = 1,388.9 + 925.95 = 2,314.85
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