Chapter 06 - Behind The Supply Curve

1. A _____ is an organization that produces goods or services for sale.
A) production function
B) firm
C) variable input
D) fixed input
2. In the short run:

A) all inputs are fixed.
B) all inputs are variable.
C) some inputs are fixed and some inputs are variable.
D) all costs are variable.
3. The _____ is the increase in output that is produced when a firm hires an
additional worker.
A) average product
B) total product
C) marginal product
D) marginal cost
4. Lauren has 11 people working in her tangerine grove. The marginal product of
the eleventh worker is 13 bushels of tangerines. If she hires a twelfth worker, the
marginal product of that worker will be:
A) 14 bushels.
B) 15 bushels.
C) 12 bushels.
D) The answer cannot be determined with the information available.
5. The total product curve:

A) shows the relation between output and the quantity of a variable input for varying
levels of the fixed input.
B) will become flatter as output increases if there are diminishing returns to the
variable input.
C) will be downward-sloping if there are diminishing returns to the variable input.
D) will become horizontal when the marginal product of the variable input is constant.
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Use the following to answer questions 6-7:
6. (Table: Labor and Output) Look at the table Labor and Output. The marginal
product of the fifth worker is:
A) 8.
B) 4.
C) 3.
D) 40.
7. (Table: Labor and Output) Look at the table Labor and Output. The marginal
product of the fourth worker is:
A) 9.
B) 36.
C) 10.
D) 6.
8. The term diminishing returns refers to:

A) a falling interest rate that can be expected as one's investment in a single asset
increases.
B) a reduction in profits caused by increasing output beyond the optimal point.
C) a decrease in total output due to the firm hiring uneducated workers.
D) a decrease in the extra output due to the use of an additional unit of a variable input
when all other inputs are held constant.
9. The idea of diminishing returns to an input in production suggests that if a local

college adds more custodians, the marginal product of labor for the custodial staff
will:
A) increase at an increasing rate.
B) increase at a decreasing rate.
C) decrease.
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D) not change.
10. Diminishing returns to an input occur:

A) when all inputs are fixed.
B) when some inputs are fixed and some are variable.
C) when all inputs are variable.
D) only when there are no fixed inputs.
11. If two firms are identical in all respects except that one has more of the fixed
input capital than another, the total product curve for the firm with more capital:
A) must equal the total product curve for the firm with less capital.
B) will lie above the total product curve for the firm with less capital.
C) will lie below the total product curve for the firm with less capital.
D) will show no diminishing marginal returns.
12. If two firms are identical in all respects except that one has more of the fixed
input capital than another, the marginal product curve for the firm with more
capital:
A) must equal the marginal product curve for the firm with less capital.
B) will lie above the marginal product curve for the firm with less capital.
C) will lie below the total marginal curve for the firm with less capital.
D) will show no diminishing marginal returns.
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13. (Figure: Marginal Product of Labor) Look at the figure Marginal Product of
Labor. The total product for three workers is _____ bushels.
A) 51
B) 45
C) 39
D) 15
Labor. The total product of labor for five workers is _____ bushels.
A) 11
B) 45
C) 55
D) 75
Labor. The total product of labor for eight workers is _____ bushels.
A) 40
B) 35
C) 96
D) 75
16. In economics, the short run is defined as:

A) less than 1 year.
B) less than 6 months.
C) the period in which some inputs are considered to be fixed in quantity.
D) the period in which some inputs are fixed, but it cannot exceed 1 year.
17. In economics, the short run is:

A) less than 1 week.
B) less than 1 month.
C) enough time to vary output but not plant capacity.
D) enough time to change all inputs to production.
18. An input whose quantity can be changed in the short run is a(n) _____ input.
A) marginal
B) fixed
C) incremental
D) variable
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19. An input whose quantity CANNOT be changed in the short run is:
A) marginal.
B) fixed.
C) incremental.
D) variable.
20. A fixed input is one:

A) that exists in nature, and there is only so much of it.
B) that can be used for one thing only.
C) that can never produce more or less in any period.
D) whose quantity cannot be changed in the short run.
21. The long run is a planning period:

A) over which a firm can consider all inputs as variable.
B) of at least five years.
C) of more than six months.
D) of 6 months to 5 years.
22. In the long run:

A) all inputs are fixed.
B) inputs are neither variable nor fixed.
C) at least one input is variable and one input is fixed.
D) all inputs are variable.
23. The _____ curve shows the quantities of output that can be obtained from
different quantities of a variable input, assuming other inputs are fixed.
A) total input
B) marginal input
C) total product
D) average total quantity
24. A total product curve indicates the relationship between _____ when all other
inputs are fixed.
A) a variable input and price
B) a variable input and variable cost
C) a variable input and output
D) output and price
25. The marginal product of labor is:

A) the change in labor divided by the change in total product.
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B) the slope of the total product of labor curve.
C) the change in average product divided by the change in the quantity of labor.
D) the change in output that occurs when capital increases by one unit.
26. A farm can produce 1,000 bushels of wheat per year with two workers and 1,300
bushels of wheat per year with three workers. The marginal product of the third
worker is _____ bushels.
A) 100
B) 300
C) 1,300
D) 2,300
27. When Caroline's dress factory hires two workers, the total product is 50 dresses.
When she hires three workers, total product is 60, and when she hires four
workers, total product is 65. The slope of the marginal product curve when two to
four workers are hired is:
A) upward.
B) horizontal.
C) vertical.
D) downward.
workers, total product is 75. The slope of the marginal product curve when two to
four workers are hired is:
A) upward.
B) downward.
C) vertical.
D) horizontal.
workers, total product is 45. The marginal product of the third and fourth workers
is:
A) increasing and positive.
B) increasing and negative.
C) decreasing and positive.
D) decreasing and negative.
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30. (Table: Total Product and Marginal Product) Look at the table Total Product and
Marginal Product. The marginal product of the second worker is:
A) 10.
B) 15.
C) 20.
D) 30.
Marginal Product. The marginal product of the fourth worker is _____ units.
A) 20
B) 22.5
C) 50
D) 90
Marginal Product. Negative marginal returns begin when the _____ worker is
added.
A) fifth
B) sixth
C) seventh
D) eighth
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Figure: The Total Product
33. (Figure: The Total Product) Look at the figure The Total Product. Between points
A and B the marginal product of labor is:
A) increasing.
B) zero.
C) falling.
D) infinite.
34. (Figure: The Total Product) Look at the figure The Total Product. Labor added
from L1 and up to L2 is:
A) subject to diminishing marginal returns.
B) adding increasing amounts to total product.
C) adding negative amounts to total product.
D) adding negative amounts to total product and subject to diminishing marginal
returns.
35. (Figure: The Total Product) Look at the figure The Total Product. As labor is
hired between L1 and L2, the total product is _____ and the marginal product is
_____.
A) rising; positive
B) falling; zero
C) rising; negative
D) rising; zero
36. (Figure: The Total Product) Look at the figure The Total Product. For hiring labor
between zero and L1:
A) the marginal product of labor is increasing.
B) the marginal product of labor is decreasing.
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C) the total product is increasing at a diminishing rate.
D) the total product is decreasing.
37. (Figure: The Total Product) Look at the figure The Total Product. After hiring L2
labor and producing at point B on the total product curve, hiring more labor
beyond L2 would cause the:
A) marginal product of labor to rise.
B) marginal product of labor to be negative.
C) total product to be negative.
D) total product to be zero.
38. (Figure: The Total Product) Look at the figure The Total Product. When L2 labor
is hired, the total product is at a _____ and the marginal product of labor is
_____.
A) minimum; zero
B) maximum; zero
C) maximum; positive
D) minimum; positive but falling
39. (Figure: The Total Product) Look at the figure The Total Product. If the firm hires
more than L2 labor, the total product will _____ because the marginal product of
labor is _____.
A) decrease; positive
B) increase; positive
C) decrease; negative
D) increase; negative
40. When an additional unit of a variable input adds less to total product than the
previous unit, the firm has:
A) increasing returns.
B) diminishing marginal returns.
C) diminishing total returns.
D) diminishing marginal returns and diminishing total returns.
41. Diminishing marginal returns occur when:

A) each additional unit of a variable factor adds more to total output than the previous
unit.
B) each additional unit of a variable factor adds less to total output than the previous
unit.
C) the marginal product of a variable factor is increasing at a decreasing rate.
D) total product decreases.
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42. You own a deli. Which of the following is most likely a fixed input at your deli?
A) the dining room
B) the bread used to make sandwiches
C) the tomato sauce used to make soups
D) the employees
43. You own a deli. Which of the following is a decision most likely to be made in
the LONG run at your deli?
A) You order more breadsticks.
B) You order more soft drinks for next week.
C) You renovate the second floor of your building to increase the size of the dining
room.
D) You advertise for part-time workers.
Use the following to answer question 44:
Figure: The Unknown Curve
44. (Figure: The Unknown Curve) Look at the figure The Unknown Curve. You are a
cabinetmaker. You employ several workers to produce kitchen and bathroom
cabinets. Your summer intern has drawn a graph showing a relationship between
the number of cabinetmakers you employ and the number of cabinets produced.
Unfortunately, your intern has failed to identify this curve. It is likely to be the
_____ curve:
A) total cost
B) total product
C) marginal product
D) total variable cost
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45. (Table: Production of Cabinets) Look at the table Production of Cabinets. After
the _____ worker the firm begins to have diminishing returns to labor.
A) first
B) second
C) third
D) fourth
46. (Table: Production of Cabinets) Look at the table Production of Cabinets. If each
cabinetmaker could be hired at no cost, how many workers would your firm
employ?
A) two
B) six
C) seven
D) eight
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Figure: Change in the Total Product
47. (Figure: Change in the Total Product) Look at the figure Change in the Total
Product. Which of the following choices is a likely cause of the shift in
production function from TP1 to TP2?
A) Workers in the firm are less productive on average.
B) The firm employed more of a variable input in the short run.
C) Available technology has decreased.
D) The firm employed more of a fixed input in the long run.
48. (Figure: Change in the Total Product) Look at the figure Change in the Total
Product. As indicated by the change in a production function from TP1 to TP2, the
marginal product of labor curve has:
A) shifted upward.
B) shifted downward.
C) not moved.
D) become inverted.
49. A factor of production whose quantity can be changed during the SHORT run is
a(n) _____ factor of production.
A) marginal
B) fixed
C) incremental
D) variable
50. A factor of production whose quantity CANNOT be changed during the short run
is a(n) _____ factor of production.
A) marginal
B) fixed
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C) incremental
D) variable
51. Think about running a restaurant. Probably:

A) cooks and hosts are variable resources.
B) a building is a variable resource in the short run.
C) cheese and other wholesale food items are fixed resources in the short run.
D) valet parking staff is a fixed resource in the long run.
52. As defined in the text, the long run is a planning period:

A) in which a firm can adjust all resources.
B) that is at least five years long.
C) during which the firm must increase sales to stay in business.
D) in which variable resources become fixed.
53. A planning period during which all of a firm's resources are variable is the _____
run.
A) long
B) fixed
C) short
D) nominal

A) the firm has time to change the level of all inputs.
B) inputs are neither variable nor fixed.
C) at least one input is free.
D) all inputs are more expensive.
55. The long run is:

A) long enough to vary the quantities of all factors of production.
B) long enough to vary all factors of production except for the amount of capital
available.
C) more than one month.
D) at least one year.
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56. (Table: Production of Bagels) Look at the table Production of Bagels. The
marginal product of the third worker is _____ bagels.
A) 9,000
B) 10,000
C) 12,000
D) 15,000
57. (Table: Production of Bagels) Look at the table Production of Bagels. The
marginal product of the fifth worker is _____ bagels.
A) 5,000
B) 9,000
C) 10,000
D) 12,000
58. (Table: Production of Bagels) Look at the table Production of Bagels.

Diminishing marginal returns begin with the addition of the _____ worker.
A) third
B) fourth
C) fifth
D) sixth
59. Diminishing marginal returns means that:

A) each additional unit of an input will decrease output.
B) each additional unit of an input will increase output, but by smaller and smaller
amounts.
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C) each additional unit of an input will increase output by larger and larger amounts.
D) the firm is maximizing profit.
60. Assuming that all other factors of production are held constant, marginal product
is the change in _____ output resulting from a one-unit change in _____.
A) total; a variable input
B) total; a fixed input
C) total; total product
D) per unit; a fixed input
61. The marginal product of labor is the change in _____ divided by the change in
_____.
A) labor; total product
B) total output; the quantity of labor
C) average output; the quantity of labor
D) total costs; the quantity of labor
62. A farm can produce 1,000 bushels of wheat per year with two workers or 1,300
bushels of wheat per year with four workers. The marginal product of the fourth
worker is _____ bushels.
A) 100
B) 300
C) 1,300
D) 150
63. The marginal product of labor is all of the following EXCEPT:

A) the change in output resulting from a one-unit change in labor.
B) the slope of the total product curve.
C) positive at some levels of input and possibly negative at others.
D) total product divided by total labor.
64. Suppose that the first four workers generate corresponding total outputs of baby
diapers of 200, 350, 450, and 500, respectively. The marginal product of the
second worker is:
A) 50.
B) 100.
C) 150.
D) 200.
65. Suppose that when a coal-mining firm hires one, two, three, four, and five
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workers, the corresponding total outputs are 10, 15, 19, 22, and 24 tons,
respectively. The marginal product of the third worker is _____ tons.
A) 3
B) 4
C) 15
D) 19
66. When a firm has diminishing marginal returns:

A) its output is falling.
B) marginal product is falling but is likely to be still positive.
C) total product falls because marginal product is falling and positive.
D) marginal product is always negative.
67. The long run refers to the period for which:

A) a fixed input exists.
B) all inputs are variable.
C) marginal costs are decreasing.
D) diminishing returns raise marginal cost.
68. The costs associated with variable inputs are _____, and the costs associated with
_____ inputs are _____.
A) variable; fixed; fixed
B) fixed; fixed; variable
C) variable; fixed; variable
D) fixed; fixed; fixed
69. Which of the following cost concepts is correctly defined?

A) MC = TC / FC
B) ATC = VC + FC
C) ATC = AVC + AFC
D) TC = AVC + AFC
70. A cost that does not depend on the quantity of output produced is:
A) marginal.
B) fixed.
C) variable.
D) average.
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71. (Table: Total Cost Data) Look at the table Total Cost Data. What is the total fixed
cost for this bicycle firm?
A) $40
B) $50
C) $100
D) $70
72. (Table: Total Cost Data) Look at the table Total Cost Data. What is the total
variable cost for this bicycle firm when the firm produces 5 bicycles?
A) $50
B) $240
C) $60
D) $190
73. The total cost curve for a snowmobile dealership shows how _____ cost depends
on the quantity of _____.
A) total; fixed inputs
B) average; variable inputs
C) total; output
D) marginal; output
74. A fixed cost:

A) will exist only in the long run.
B) depends on the level of output.
C) can be positive, even if the firm doesn't produce any output in the short run.
D) decreases until the point of diminishing returns is reached.
75. The sum of fixed and variable costs is _____ cost.
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A) total
B) marginal
C) variable
D) average
76. (Table: Production Function for Soybeans) Look at the table Production Function
for Soybeans. Assume that the fixed input, capital, is 10 acres of land and a
tractor, which have a combined cost of $150 per day. The cost of labor is $100
per worker per day. The fixed cost of producing 25 bushels of soybeans is:
A) $50.
B) $100.
C) $150.
D) $250.
per worker per day. The variable cost of producing 25 bushels of soybeans is:
A) $50.
B) $100.
C) $150.
D) $250.
per worker per day. The total cost of producing 25 bushels of soybeans is:
A) $50.
B) $100.
C) $150.
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D) $250.
A) $100.
B) $200.
C) $350.
D) $4,500.
A) $100.
B) $200.
C) $350.
D) $4,500.
A) $5.
B) $100.
C) $150.
D) $300.
A) $150.
B) $450.
C) $750.
D) $900.
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A) $250.
B) $400.
C) $550.
D) $1,024.
A) $650.
B) $1,150.
C) $1,225.
D) $7,650.
85. The total cost curve is:

A) positively sloped.
B) negatively sloped.
C) vertical.
D) horizontal.
86. The fixed cost curve is:

A) positively sloped.
B) negatively sloped.
C) vertical.
D) horizontal.
87. Once diminishing returns have set in, as output increases, the total cost curve:
A) gets steeper.
B) gets flatter.
C) becomes horizontal.
D) increases at first, and then decreases.
88. The total cost curve gets steeper as output increases because of:
A) increasing returns to the variable input.
B) decreasing returns to the variable input.
C) increases in fixed cost.
D) decreases in overhead costs.
89. The change in total output resulting from a one-unit increase in the quantity of an
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input used, holding the quantities of all other inputs constant, is:
A) average cost.
B) average product.
C) marginal cost.
D) marginal product.
90. Austin's total fixed cost at the bakery is $3,600 a month. Austin employs 20
workers and pays each worker $8 an hour. The marginal product of the twentieth
worker is 12 iced cupcakes an hour. What is the marginal cost of the last cupcake
produced by the last worker Austin hired?
A) $0.26
B) $0.66
C) $3.81
D) $8.00
91. For Heidi, the marginal cost of producing one additional photograph equals the
change in _____ divided by the change in the _____ of photographs.
A) total cost; number
B) marginal cost; number
C) total cost; marginal product
D) average cost; number
92. When a cherry orchard in Oregon adds a worker, the total cost of production
increases by $24,000. Adding the worker increases total cherry output by 600
pounds. Therefore, the marginal cost of the last pound of cherries produced is:
A) $40.
B) $19.
C) $4,000.
D) $24,000.
93. Marginal cost can be calculated as:

A) TC / Q, where TC is total cost and Q is output.
B) VC / Q, where VC is variable cost and Q is output.
C) the slope of the total cost curve.
D) TC / Q, where TC is total cost and Q is output; VC / Q, where VC is variable
cost and Q is output; and as the slope of the total cost curve.
94. If the marginal cost of producing the seventh sports jersey is $21, then the total
cost of seven sports jerseys is:
A) $21.
B) $60.
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C) $147.
D) The answer cannot be determined from the information provided.
95. If Marie Marionettes is operating under conditions of diminishing marginal

product, the marginal costs will be:
A) equal to average total cost.
B) decreasing.
C) increasing.
D) constant.
96. Buford Bus Manufacturing installs a new assembly line. As a result, the output
per worker increases. The marginal cost of output at Buford:
A) will increase (the MC curve will shift up).
B) will decrease (the MC curve will shift down).
C) will be unchanged.
D) is at its maximum.
97. If the marginal cost of the first sports jersey is $21, the marginal cost of the
second sports jersey is $40, and the marginal cost of the third jersey is $17, what
is the total variable cost of producing three jerseys?
A) $26
B) $78
C) $17
D) $61
98. The shape of the marginal cost curve is the mirror image of the shape of the
_____ curve.
A) total product
B) average product
C) marginal product
D) average total cost
99. Ashley Bakery expects its marginal cost curve will eventually slope upward,
because as with most production processes, baking has:
A) constant opportunity costs.
B) a maximum efficient scale.
C) diminishing marginal returns.
D) decreasing opportunity costs.
100. The _____ curve shows the additional cost of producing each additional unit of
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output.
A) average cost
B) total cost
C) marginal product
D) marginal cost
101. Marginal cost is the change in _____ cost resulting from a one-unit change in
_____.
A) total; a variable input
B) total; output
C) total; average cost
D) average; output
102. A firm's marginal cost is:

A) the ratio of the change in total cost to the change in the quantity of output.
B) the change in total cost divided by the change in labor input.
C) the slope of the average fixed cost curve.
D) total cost divided by output.
103. Marginal cost _____ over the range of increasing marginal returns and _____
over the range of diminishing marginal returns.
A) increases; decreases
B) decreases; increases
C) is constant; decreases
D) increases; is constant
104. Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A) When the marginal product of labor is upward-sloping, the marginal cost curve is
upward-sloping.
B) The average fixed cost curve is downward-sloping and approaches the horizontal
axis.
C) The marginal cost curve intersects the average variable cost curve at the minimum
of average variable cost.
D) When the marginal cost curve is above the average cost curve, the average cost
curve is upward-sloping.
105. The curve that shows the additional cost of each additional unit of output is
called the _____ curve.
A) average cost
B) total cost
C) marginal product
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D) marginal cost
106. Marginal cost is the change in:

A) total product resulting from a one-unit change in a variable input.
B) total cost resulting from a one-unit change in quantity of a variable input.
C) total cost divided by the change in output.
D) average cost resulting from a one-unit change in quantity of output.
107. The change in total cost resulting from a one-unit change in quantity is _____
cost.
A) average fixed
B) average variable
C) marginal
D) average total
108. A firm's marginal cost is:

A) the ratio of the change in fixed cost to the change in the quantity of output.
B) the slope of the total cost curve.
C) the slope of the average variable cost curve.
D) the ratio of the change in total output to the change in the quantity of labor.
109. Marginal cost is the:

A) increase in total cost when one more unit of output is produced.
B) reduction in cost from economies of scale.
C) ratio of average total cost to total cost.
D) increase in output from the addition of one unit of labor.
110. The larger the output, the more output over which fixed cost is distributed. Called
the _____ effect, this leads to a ______ average _____ cost.
A) spreading; lower; fixed
B) spreading; higher; fixed
C) diminishing returns; lower; variable
D) diminishing returns; higher; variable
111. The larger the output, the more variable input required to produce additional
units. Called the _____ effect, this leads to a ______ average _____ cost.
A) spreading; lower; fixed
B) spreading; higher; fixed
C) diminishing returns; lower; variable
D) diminishing returns; higher; variable
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112. The average total cost curve has a  shape because the ______ effect is dominant
at low levels of output, and the _____ effect is dominant at high levels of output.
A) diminishing returns; spreading
B) spreading; diminishing returns
C) comparative advantage; absolute advantage
D) absolute advantage; comparative advantage
113. The rent for Oscar's sporting goods store is $2,500 per month. Oscar pays his
staff $9 per hour, and his monthly electricity bill averages $700, depending on his
total hours of operation. Oscar's fixed costs of production equal:
A) $2,500 per month.
B) $3,200 per month.
C) $9 per hour multiplied by total hours of work plus $700.
D) $9 per hour multiplied by total hours of work plus $3,200.
114. Krista's dry-cleaning business incurs $900 per month in fixed costs. Last month
her total output was 3,000 pounds of clothes. This month her total output fell to
2,700 pounds. This means her average fixed cost _____ by a little more than
_____.
A) fell; 3.33 cents
B) increased; 3.33 cents
C) fell; 2.50 cents
D) increased; 2.50 cents
115. Darren runs a barbershop with average fixed costs of $60 per day and a total
output of 50 haircuts per day. Darren shuts down every year during the last week
of July and the first week of August. What is his annual fixed cost if he is open
six days per week?
A) $18,000
B) $3,000
C) $60
D) The answer cannot be determined with the information available.
116. The average total cost of producing cell phones in a factory is $20 at the current
output level of 100 units per week. If fixed cost is $1,200 per week:
A) average fixed cost is $20.
B) total cost is $3,200.
C) variable cost is $2,000.
D) average variable cost is $8.
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117. Average variable cost equals all of the following EXCEPT:
A) variable cost divided by output.
B) the quantity total cost minus fixed cost divided by output.
C) average total cost minus average fixed cost.
D) variable cost times output.
118. You run a business producing picture frames. This month your total cost of
production is $10,000, your variable cost of production is $6,000, and you
produce 3,000 picture frames. It follows that average _____ cost is _____.
A) variable; $2
B) total; $3
C) total; $1
D) fixed; $1
119. For most restaurants, the average total cost curve _____ at _____ levels of
output, then _____ at _____ levels.
A) falls; low; rises; high
B) rises; low; falls; high
C) rises; high; rises; low
D) falls; high; falls; low
120. In the short run, the average total cost curve slopes upward because of:
A) economies of scale.
B) diseconomies of scale.
C) increasing returns.
D) diminishing returns.
121. The _____ cost curve is NOT affected by diminishing returns.

A) average fixed
B) average variable
C) average total
D) marginal
122. The _____ cost curve continually declines as more output is produced in the
short run.
A) marginal
B) average variable
C) average fixed
D) average total
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Figure: The Average Total Cost Curve
123. (Figure: The Average Total Cost Curve) Look at the figure The Average Total
Cost Curve. The total cost of producing three pairs of boots is approximately:
A) $24.
B) $72.
C) $75.
D) $216.
Cost Curve. The total cost of producing five pairs of boots is approximately:
A) $408.
B) $82.
C) $108.
D) $17.
Cost Curve. The total cost of producing 10 pairs of boots is approximately:
A) $13.
B) $54.
C) $131.
D) $1,308.
126. Average total cost is:

A) the change in cost divided by the change in output.
B) total cost divided by output.
C) the change in output divided by the change in costs.
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D) total cost times output.
127. Total cost divided by the quantity of output produced is:

A) average total cost.
B) average fixed cost.
C) average product.
D) marginal cost.
128. Average variable cost is:

A) variable cost per unit multiplied by output.
B) total variable cost divided by output.
C) the difference between average total cost and total variable cost.
D) the difference between total cost and total variable cost.
129. Average variable cost is the ratio of:

A) total cost to marginal cost.
B) total cost to the amount of variable input.
C) variable cost to the quantity of output.
D) marginal cost to the quantity of output.
130. A business produces 10 pairs of eyeglasses. It incurs $30 in average variable cost
and $5 in average fixed cost. The average total cost of producing 10 pairs of
eyeglasses is:
A) $30.
B) $35.
C) $50.
D) $300.
131. A business produces 10 pairs of eyeglasses. It incurs $35 in average total cost and
$5 in average fixed cost. The average variable cost of producing 10 pairs of
eyeglasses is:
A) $30.
B) $35.
C) $50.
D) $300.
and $5 in average fixed cost. The total cost of producing 10 pairs of eyeglasses
is:
A) $35.
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B) $50.
C) $300.
D) $350.
and $35 in average total cost. The total fixed cost of producing 10 pairs of
eyeglasses is:
A) $3.
B) $35.
C) $50.
D) $300.
134. Average total cost is:

A) the change in variable cost divided by the change in quantity.
B) total cost divided by quantity.
C) the change in quantity divided by the change in labor costs.
D) total cost times quantity.
135. Average variable cost is:

A) variable cost per unit multiplied by quantity.
B) total variable cost divided by quantity.
C) the difference between average total cost and total cost.
D) the difference between total cost and total fixed cost.
136. Average total cost is the ratio of _____ cost to _____.

A) total; marginal cost
B) total; quantity of output
C) total; amount of variable input
D) marginal; amount of variable input
137. Total cost divided by the quantity of output produced is:

A) always increasing.
B) always decreasing.
C) average total cost.
D) marginal cost.
138. Average variable cost is the ratio of:

A) total cost to the marginal cost.
B) variable inputs to fixed inputs.
C) variable cost to the quantity of output.
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D) fixed costs to variable cost.
139. Variable cost divided by the quantity of output produced is _____ cost.
A) marginal
B) average total
C) average fixed
D) average variable
140. Tankao makes earbuds for mobile devices. When Tankao produces 20 sets of
earbuds, its average variable cost is $5 per set and its average total cost is $8 per
set. Tankao's:
A) marginal cost is less than $3 per set.
B) marginal cost is $3 per set.
C) average fixed cost is $3 per set.
D) marginal cost is equal to its average fixed cost.
141. Tankao makes Bluetooth sets for mobile devices. When 50 Bluetooth sets are
produced in the short run, the average variable cost is $30. Tankao's average
_____ cost is _____.
A) total; $30.
B) total; greater than $30.
C) total; less than $30.
D) fixed; $30.
142. Austin's total fixed cost is $3,600 a month at his cupcake bakery. Austin employs
20 workers and pays each worker $600 a month. If labor is his only variable cost,
what is Austin's total cost?
A) $3,600
B) $1,200
C) $15,600
D) $12,000
143. When marginal cost is rising:

A) average variable cost must be rising.
B) average total cost must be rising.
C) average variable cost and average total cost must be falling.
D) both average variable cost and average total cost may be rising or falling.
144. When Aishe's Bar-B-Que produces 10 pork sandwiches, the total cost is $5.
When 11 pork sandwiches are produced, the total cost rises to $6. From this we
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know that the marginal cost of the eleventh pork sandwich:
A) is equal to the average cost of 11 pork sandwiches.
B) is greater than the average cost of 11 pork sandwiches.
C) is less than the average cost of 11 pork sandwiches.
D) can't be calculated without more information.
145. Suppose the marginal cost curve in the short run first decreases and then
increases. If marginal cost is decreasing, _____ must be _____ and _____ must
be _____.
A) marginal product; increasing; average fixed cost; decreasing
B) average variable cost; decreasing; average fixed cost; increasing
C) average total cost; increasing; marginal cost; decreasing
D) marginal product; increasing; average variable cost; decreasing
146. Suppose the marginal cost curve in the short run first decreases and then
increases. If marginal cost is increasing, _____ must be _____.
A) marginal product; increasing
B) average variable cost; increasing
C) average total cost; increasing
D) marginal product; decreasing
147. At the current level of output, Becca Furniture's marginal cost curve is above the
average total cost curve. This means Becca Furniture's average total cost curve:
A) must be rising.
B) must be flat.
C) must be falling.
D) may be rising, falling, or flat depending on other things.
148. The marginal cost curve intersects the average variable cost curve at:
A) its lowest point.
B) its maximum.
C) its end point.
D) no point; the curves don't intersect.
149. When marginal cost is BELOW average variable cost, average variable cost must
be:
A) at its minimum.
B) at its maximum.
C) falling.
D) rising.
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150. When marginal cost is ABOVE average variable cost, average variable cost must
be:
A) at its minimum.
B) at its maximum.
C) falling.
D) rising.
151. If marginal cost is GREATER THAN average total cost:

A) average total cost is increasing.
B) average total cost is decreasing.
C) average total cost is unchanged.
D) marginal cost is decreasing.
152. If marginal cost is equal to average total cost:

A) average total cost is increasing.
B) average total cost is at its maximum.
C) average total cost is at its minimum.
D) marginal cost is decreasing.
153. If an increase in output results in a decrease in average total cost, the

corresponding marginal cost is:
A) less than average total cost.
B) greater than average total cost.
C) equal to average total cost.
D) negative.
154. When a fine caterer produces 30 catered meals, its marginal cost and average
variable cost each equal $10. Therefore, assuming normally shaped cost curves,
at 29 meals its marginal cost is _____ $10 and its average variable cost is _____
$10.
A) more than; less than
B) less than; more than
C) more than; more than
D) equal to; equal to
155. When marginal cost is below average variable cost, average variable cost must
be:
A) above average total cost.
B) below average fixed cost.
C) falling.
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D) rising.
156. When marginal cost is above average variable cost, average variable cost must
be:
A) at its minimum.
B) at its maximum.
C) greater than average total cost.
D) increasing.
157. If marginal cost is greater than average total cost, then average total cost is:
A) at its maximum.
B) at its minimum.
C) increasing.
D) decreasing.
158. If marginal cost is less than average total cost, then _____ cost is _____.
A) average total; increasing
B) average total; decreasing
C) marginal; necessarily increasing
D) marginal; necessarily decreasing
159. Suppose Cyd knows the average total cost of producing 9 scones is $5, while the
average total cost of producing 10 scones is $5.20. What is the marginal cost of
the tenth scone?
A) $7.00
B) $5.20
C) $0.20
D) $5.00
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160. (Table: Output and Marginal Cost) Look at the table Output and Marginal Cost.
After graduation you achieve your dream of opening an art shop that specializes
in selling mud statues. How many statues should you produce to minimize your
average variable costs?
A) two
B) three
C) four
D) five
161. Kaile Cakes produces 10 cakes per day. The marginal cost of the tenth cake is
$24, and average total cost of 10 cakes is $6. The average total cost of 9 cakes is:
A) $4.
B) $5.
C) $6.
D) $8.
162. Cindy operates Birds-R-Us, a small store manufacturing and selling 100 bird
feeders per month. Cindy's monthly total fixed costs are $500, and her monthly
total variable costs are $2,500. If for some reason Cindy's fixed cost fell to $400,
then her _____ costs would _____.
A) average fixed; increase
B) average total; decrease
C) marginal; decrease
D) average variable; decrease
163. In the short run, as output gets larger:

A) fixed cost gets smaller.
B) the average variable cost curve gets closer to the average total cost curve.
C) marginal cost gets smaller.
D) average total cost decreases after the point of diminishing returns.
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164. (Figure and Table: Variable, Fixed, and Total Costs) Look at the figure and table
Variable, Fixed, and Total Costs. The marginal cost of increasing production from
19 to 36 bushels of wheat is:
A) $23.53.
B) $11.76.
C) $22.22.
D) $11.11.
A) $16.00.
B) $15.38.
C) $12.50.
D) $18.75.
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A) $13.00.
B) $19.78.
C) $22.22.
D) $28.57.
Variable, Fixed, and Total Costs. When 51 bushels of wheat are produced, the
average fixed cost is _____, average variable cost is _____, and average total
cost is _____.
A) $7.84; $11.76; $19.60
B) $133.33; $200.00; $333.33
C) $400.00; $600.00; $1,000.00
D) $5.33; $13.33; $18.67
Variable, Fixed, and Total Costs. When 96 bushels of wheat are produced, the
average fixed cost is _____, average variable cost is _____, and average total
cost is _____.
A) $7.84; $11.76; $19.60
B) $133.33; $200.00; $333.33
C) $4.17; $16.67; $20.83
D) $5.33; $13.33; $18.67
Figure: Short-Run Costs
169. (Figure: Short-Run Costs) Look at the figure Short-Run Costs. A is the _____
cost curve.
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A) average total
B) average variable
C) marginal
D) total
170. (Figure: Short-Run Costs) Look at the figure Short-Run Costs. B is the _____
cost curve.
A) average total
B) average variable
C) marginal
D) total
171. (Figure: Short-Run Costs) Look at the figure Short-Run Costs. C is the _____
cost curve.
A) average total
B) total
C) marginal
D) average variable
172. (Figure: Short-Run Costs) Look at the figure Short-Run Costs. The vertical
difference between curve B and curve C at any quantity of output is _____ cost.
A) marginal
B) fixed
C) average fixed
D) average variable
173. (Figure: Short-Run Costs) Look at the figure Short-Run Costs. At 7 units of
output, average fixed cost is approximately _____, and average variable cost is
approximately _____.
A) $100; $100
B) $10; $135
C) $40; $100
D) $140; $140
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Figure: Short-Run Costs II
174. (Figure: Short-Run Costs II) Look at the figure Short-Run Costs II. Curve 1 is the
_____ cost curve.
A) average total
B) average variable
C) marginal
D) total
_____ cost curve.
A) average total
B) average variable
C) marginal
D) total
_____ cost curve.
A) average total
B) total
C) marginal
D) average variable
177. (Figure: Short-Run Costs II) Look at the figure Short-Run Costs II. Curve 1
crosses the average variable cost curve at:
A) 3 units of output.
B) approximately 5.3 units of output.
C) the minimum value of curve 2.
D) the level of output at which diminishing marginal returns begin.
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178. (Figure: Short-Run Costs II) Look at the figure Short-Run Costs II. Curve 1
crosses the average total cost curve at:
A) the minimum value of curve 2.
B) approximately 4.3 units of output.
C) approximately 2.8 units of output.
D) point A.
179. (Figure: Short-Run Costs II) Look at the figure Short-Run Costs II. At 6 units of
output, marginal cost is approximately:
A) $100.
B) $120.
C) $250.
D) $200.
output, average total cost is approximately:
A) $100.
B) $120.
C) $170.
D) $250.
output, average variable cost is approximately:
A) $100.
B) $120.
C) $200.
D) $250.
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182. (Table: Cost Data) Look at the table Cost Data. When the purse factory produces
5 units of output (purses):
A) marginal cost is above average total cost, and average total cost is rising.
B) average total cost is above average variable cost, and average variable cost is
falling.
C) marginal cost is below average variable cost, and average variable cost is falling.
D) marginal cost is above average variable cost and below average total cost, and
average total cost is rising.
183. (Table: Cost Data) Look at the table Cost Data. The average variable cost of
producing 2 purses is:
A) $190.
B) $70.
C) $50.
D) $35.
184. (Table: Cost Data) Look at the table Cost Data. The average fixed cost of
A) $0.
B) $50.
C) $25.
D) $2.
185. (Table: Cost Data) Look at the table Cost Data. The average total cost of
A) $60.
B) $120.
C) $190.
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D) $220.
186. (Table: Cost Data) Look at the table Cost Data. The marginal cost of producing
the second purse is:
A) $60.
B) $50.
C) $35.
D) $20.
A) $190.00.
B) $140.00.
C) $47.50.
D) $35.00.
A) $12.50.
B) $47.50.
C) $50.00.
D) $82.50.
A) $12.50.
B) $47.50.
C) $50.00.
D) $82.50.
the fourth purse is:
A) $60.
B) $50.
C) $40.
D) $20.
A) $190.
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B) $70.
C) $50.
D) $35.
A) $0.
B) $50.
C) $25.
D) $10.
A) $10.
B) $38.
C) $48.
D) $190.
A) $10.
B) $38.
C) $48.
D) $240.
the fifth purse is:
A) $60.
B) $50.
C) $35.
D) $20.
Page 42
Figure: A Firm's Cost Curves
196. (Figure: A Firm's Cost Curves) Look at the figure A Firm's Cost Curves. The
curve labeled V represents the firm's _____ cost curve.
A) total
B) average total
C) marginal
D) average variable
curve labeled W represents the firm's _____ cost curve.
A) average fixed
B) average total
C) average variable
D) total variable
curve X represents the firm's _____ cost curve.
A) marginal
B) average total
C) average fixed
D) average variable
199. The long-run average total cost curve is tangent to an infinite number of short-
run _____ cost curves.
A) total
B) marginal
C) average variable
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D) average total
200. At the long-run quantity of output, where the long-run average total cost curve is
at its lowest point, it is tangent to the _____ of the corresponding short-run
average total cost curve.
A) minimum
B) maximum
C) right of the minimum
D) left of the minimum
201. At quantities less than the long-run minimum cost per unit of output, the long-run
average total cost curve is _____ of the corresponding short-run average total
cost curve.
A) tangent to the minimum
B) tangent to the maximum
C) to the right of the minimum
D) to the left of the minimum
202. At quantities greater than the long-run minimum cost per unit of output, the long-
run average total cost curve is _____ of the corresponding short-run average total
cost curve.
A) tangent to the minimum
B) tangent to the maximum
C) to the right of the minimum
D) to the left of the minimum
Figure: Long-Run and Short-Run Average Cost Curves
203. (Figure: Long-Run and Short-Run Average Cost Curves) Look at the figure
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Long-Run and Short-Run Average Cost Curves. If a firm faced the long-run
average total cost curve shown in the figure and it expected to produce 100,000
units of the good in the long run, the firm should build the plant associated with:
A) ATC1.
B) ATC2.
C) ATC3.
D) ATC1 or ATC2.
204. (Figure: Long-Run and Short-Run Average Cost Curves) Look at the figure
Long-Run and Short-Run Average Cost Curves. If a firm is producing at point C
on the ATC2 but anticipates increasing output to 225,000 units in the long run, the
firm will build a _____ plant and have _____ of scale.
A) smaller; economies
B) smaller; diseconomies
C) bigger; economies
D) bigger; diseconomies
205. In the long run, all costs are:

A) fixed.
B) constant.
C) variable.
D) marginal.

A) all factors are fixed.
B) all factors are variable.
C) production choices are more limited than in the short run.
D) production is always greater than zero.
207. When a firm adds physical capital, in the short run fixed costs will:
A) increase.
B) decrease.
C) remain the same.
D) decrease at first and then increase.
208. When a firm adds capital, in the short run workers will be:
A) less productive and let the machines do most of the work.
B) more productive, since they have more equipment.
C) at the same level of productivity.
D) more productive at first and then less productive after a few weeks.
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209. When a firm adds capital, in the short run variable costs for any level of output
will:
A) increase.
B) decrease.
C) remain the same.
D) increase at first and then decrease.
210. (Table: Cakes) Look at the table Cakes. Pat is opening a bakery to make and sell
special birthday cakes. She is trying to decide how many mixers to purchase. Her
estimated fixed and average variable costs if she purchases one, two, or three
mixers are shown in the table. Assume that average variable costs do not vary
with the quantity of output. If Pat purchases one mixer and bakes 100 cakes per
day, what is her average fixed cost?
A) $10,000
B) $1,000
C) $15
D) $10
day, what is her average total cost?
A) $1,010
B) $20
C) $15
D) $10
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A) $5
B) $10
C) $200
D) $1,000
A) $5
B) $15
C) $200
D) $1,000
A) $0.025
B) $2.50
C) $1,000
D) $400,000
A) $2.50
B) $10
C) $12.50
D) $1,010
Page 47
with the quantity of output. If Pat purchases one mixer, her average fixed cost
_____ in the range of output between 100 and 400 cakes.
A) increases
B) decreases
C) remains the same
D) can't be calculated
with the quantity of output. If Pat purchases one mixer, her average total cost
A) increases
B) decreases
C) remains the same
with the quantity of output. If Pat purchases two mixers and bakes 100 cakes per
A) $10,000
B) $1,000
C) $15
D) $10
A) $8
B) $10
C) $15
D) $22
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A) $300,000
B) $1,508
C) $187.50
D) $7.50
A) $8
B) $14.50
C) $1,492
D) $1,508
A) $0.02
B) $3.75
C) $500
D) $1,508
A) $0.02
B) $10.75
C) $500
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D) $1,507
with the quantity of output. If Pat purchases two mixers, her average fixed cost
A) increases
B) decreases
C) remains the same
with the quantity of output. If Pat purchases two mixers, her average total cost
A) increases
B) decreases
C) remains the same
with the quantity of output. If Pat purchases three mixers and bakes 100 cakes
per day, what is her average fixed cost?
A) $4
B) $25
C) $2,496
D) $10,000
per day, what is her average total cost?
A) $4
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B) $25
C) $29
D) $625
A) $0.05
B) $2.50
C) $5.00
D) $12.50
A) $50.00
B) $12.50
C) $16.50
D) $800.00
A) $0.05
B) $2.50
C) $5.00
D) $6.25
Page 51
A) $10.25
B) $12.50
C) $16.50
D) $2,504.00
with the quantity of output. If Pat purchases three mixers, her average fixed cost
A) increases
B) decreases
C) remains the same
with the quantity of output. If Pat purchases three mixers, her average total cost
A) increases
B) decreases
C) remains the same
with the quantity of output. How many mixers should Pat buy to get the lowest
average total cost if she plans to make 100 cakes?
A) one
B) two
C) three
D) Can't be determined without more information
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A) one
B) two
C) three
A) one
B) two
C) three
237. The long-run average cost curve will be upward-sloping when the firm has:
C) constant returns to scale.
Table: Long-Run Total Cost

Quantity of Long-Run
Soybeans Total Cost
(bushels)
1 $ 50
2 80
3 90
4 120
5 200
6 300
238. (Table: Long-Run Total Cost) Look at the table Long-Run Total Cost. This
soybean grower receives constant returns to scale over the _____ and _____
bushels.
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A) first; second
B) third; fourth
C) fourth; fifth
D) fifth; sixth
239. When an increase in the firm's output reduces its long-run average total cost, it
achieves _____ scale.
A) economies of
B) diseconomies of
C) constant returns to
D) variable returns to
240. A university that benefits from lower costs per enrolled student as it builds more
buildings and enrolls more students is an example of a service provider with:
C) increasing opportunity costs.
D) scale reduction.
241. The slope of a long-run average total cost curve exhibiting diseconomies of scale
is:
A) zero.
B) infinite.
C) positive.
D) negative.
242. When diseconomies of scale occur:

A) long-run average cost rises.
B) marginal cost declines.
C) average total cost declines.
D) average variable cost declines.
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Figure: Long-Run Average Cost
243. (Figure: Long-Run Average Cost) Look at the figure Long-Run Average Cost.
This firm has _____ in the output region from 0 to A.
A) diseconomies of scale
B) constant returns to scale
C) economies of scale
D) negative costs of production
This firm has _____ in the output region from A to B.
A) constant returns to scale
B) economies of scale
C) diseconomies of scale
D) constant total cost as output increases
This firm has _____ in the output region from B to C.
B) diseconomies of scale
C) economies of scale
D) falling marginal cost
This firm has _____ in the output region from 0 to A.
A) decreasing returns to scale
B) constant returns to scale
C) increasing returns to scale
D) negative costs of production
This firm has _____ in the output region from B to C.
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B) decreasing returns to scale
C) increasing returns to scale
D) falling marginal cost
248. A firm that is able to use its inputs more efficiently as it increases production in
the long run best demonstrates:
C) labor-intensive production.
D) capital-intensive production.
249. A firm that has diminishing returns in the management's ability to use and
disseminate information as it increases production in the long run best
demonstrates:
C) being too small for the relevant market.
D) not having enough managers.
250. It is common in large breweries for the long-run average total cost to decline as
output increases. This indicates that many breweries operate with:
A) diseconomies of scale.
B) diminishing marginal returns.
C) economies of scale.
D) constant returns to scale.
251. Buffalo Aircraft doubles the amount of all of the inputs it uses—the factory
doubles in size and twice as many workers are hired. After this expansion, the
number of aircraft produced triples. If the price of inputs is unchanged, this
means that Buffalo Aircraft is operating with:
A) increasing marginal cost.
B) economies of scale.
C) increasing average total cost.
D) decreasing average variable cost.
252. The long-run average total cost of producing 100 units of output is $4, while the
long-run average cost of producing 110 units of output is $4. These numbers
suggest that the firm producing this output has:
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C) constant returns to scale.
253. The  -shape of the long-run average total cost curve is primarily due to:
A) technological change.
B) economies and diseconomies of scale.
C) increasing and then diminishing returns.
254. When an increase in the firm's output reduces its long-run average total cost, it
has _____ returns to scale.
A) increasing
B) decreasing
C) constant
D) variable
255. If your firm is operating in the negatively sloped portion of a long-run average
total cost curve, then your production exhibits:
A) higher wages.
B) increasing returns to scale.
C) decreasing returns to scale.
D) increased input prices.
256. A manufacturing company that benefits from lower costs per unit as it grows is
an example of a firm exhibiting:
A) increasing returns to scale.
B) decreasing returns to scale.
D) scale reduction.
257. A firm that has lower costs per unit as it increases production in the long run has:
A) increasing returns to scale.
B) decreasing returns to scale.
D) scale reduction.
258. The slope of a long-run average total cost curve exhibiting decreasing returns to
scale is:
A) zero.
B) infinite.
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C) positive.
D) negative.
259. Decreasing and increasing returns to scale account for the shape of the:
A) short-run average total cost curve.
B) short-run average variable cost curve.
C) long-run average total cost curve.
D) marginal cost curve in both the short run and the long run.
260. The slope of a long-run average total cost curve exhibiting increasing returns to
scale is:
A) zero.
B) infinite.
C) positive.
D) negative.
261. (Table: Workers and Output) Look at the table Workers and Output. After
graduation you achieve your dream of opening an art shop that specializes in
selling mud statues. You pay $10 per day on a loan from your uncle, and
regardless of how much you produce, you pay $10 per day to each of the workers
who make the mud statues. The fixed cost of producing 25 statues is:
A) $10.
B) $20.
C) $25.
D) $35.
Page 58
who make the mud statues. The variable cost of producing 25 statues is:
A) $10.
B) $20.
C) $25.
D) $35.
who make the mud statues. The total cost of producing 25 statues is:
A) $10.
B) $20.
C) $25.
D) $30.
A) $10.
B) $20.
C) $40.
D) $43.
A) $10.
B) $20.
C) $40.
D) $50.
A) $50.
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B) $48.
C) $20.
D) $10.
A) $240.
B) $60.
C) $50.
D) $10.
who make the mud statues. How many workers should you hire to minimize your
marginal costs?
A) two
B) three
C) four
D) five
269. (Table: Output and Costs) Look at the table Output and Costs. When output
increases from 1 to 2, marginal cost equals:
A) $13.
B) $10.
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C) $8.
D) $17.
270. (Table: Output and Costs) Look at the table Output and Costs. When output is 4,
total variable cost equals:
A) $48.
B) $38.
C) $58.
D) $28.
271. (Table: Output and Costs) Look at the table Output and Costs. When output is 3,
average total cost equals:
A) $13.
B) $10.
C) $8.
D) $17.
272. (Table: Costs of Producing Bagels) Look at the table Cost of Producing Bagels.
The total cost of producing 6 bagels is:
A) $0.10.
B) $0.20.
C) $0.80.
D) $0.90.
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The marginal cost of producing the sixth bagel is:
A) $0.10.
B) $0.15.
C) $0.20.
D) $0.80.
Marginal cost reaches its minimum value for the _____ bagel.
A) first
B) third
C) fourth
D) fifth
Average total cost reaches its minimum value for the _____ bagel.
A) first
B) third
C) fourth
D) fifth
The average total cost of producing 6 bagels is:
A) $0.10.
B) $0.15.
C) $0.20.
D) $0.80.
The total cost of producing 2 bagels is:
A) $0.10.
B) $0.20.
C) $0.40.
D) $0.50.
The average total cost of producing 2 bagels is:
A) $0.05.
B) $0.10.
C) $0.20.
D) $0.40.
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The marginal cost of producing the second bagel is:
A) $0.05.
B) $0.10.
C) $0.30.
D) $0.40.
280. (Table: Costs of Birthday Cakes) Look at the table Costs of Birthday Cakes.
Assume that fixed costs are $10. What is the average variable cost of 2 cakes?
A) $40.00
B) $35.00
C) $25.00
D) $12.50
Assume that fixed costs are $10. What is the average fixed cost of 2 cakes?
A) $5
B) $10
C) $25
D) $30
Assume that fixed costs are $10. What is the average total cost of 2 cakes?
A) $35.00
B) $25.00
C) $17.50
D) $12.50
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Assume that fixed costs are $10. What is the marginal cost of the second cake?
A) $5
B) $10
C) $25
D) $35
A) $38.00
B) $10.00
C) $9.50
D) $8.00
A) $48.00
B) $10.00
C) $5.00
D) $2.50
A) $35.00
B) $25.00
C) $9.50
D) $12.00
Assume that fixed costs are $10. What is the marginal cost of the fourth cake?
A) $8
B) $10
C) $25
D) $35
A) $300
B) $250
C) $50
D) $10
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A) $1
B) $2
C) $5
D) $10
A) $110
B) $60
C) $12
D) $2
Assume that fixed costs are $10. What is the marginal cost of the fifth cake?
A) $2
B) $10
C) $12
D) $20
Assume that fixed costs are $10. The point of diminishing returns occurs at
output of:
A) 2.
B) 3.
C) 4.
D) 5.
Assume that fixed costs are $10. The minimum average variable cost occurs at
output of:
A) 2.
B) 3.
C) 4.
D) 5.
Assume that fixed costs are $10. The minimum average total cost occurs at
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output of:
A) 6.
B) 5.
C) 3.
D) 2.
295. Farmers in the United States grow about three times as much wheat per acre as
do farmers in Western Europe.
A) True
B) False
296. Scott operates a business that takes people on boat tours in Crystal River, Florida.
The amount of fuel Scott uses each day is a variable input.
A) True
B) False
297. In the long run, every input available to a manufacturer is a fixed input.
A) True
B) False
298. Joan adds one more employee to her construction company. The additional
output produced by this employee represents the average product of this
employee.
A) True
B) False
299. The total product curve for the Wallmark Greeting Card Company shows how the
quantity of output depends on the quantity of the variable input for a given
amount of the fixed inputs.
A) True
B) False
300. The slope of the total product curve is equal to the average product of labor.
A) True
B) False
301. As more labor is added to a fixed amount of capital, eventually the marginal
product of labor decreases.
A) True
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B) False
302. When returns are diminishing, the marginal cost curve is upward-sloping.
A) True
B) False
303. As a firm increases production in the short run, the marginal cost of output
increases because the marginal product of the variable input decreases.
A) True
B) False
304. The short-run average total cost curve is  -shaped because at low output levels
the spreading effect of falling average fixed costs dominates the diminishing
returns effect, while at high output levels the reverse is true.
A) True
B) False
305. In the short run, the average total cost curve always lies above the average
variable cost curve.
A) True
B) False
306. If the average total cost curve and the average variable cost curve are both U-
shaped, then the minimum point of the average total cost curve must lie above
the minimum point of the average variable cost curve.
A) True
B) False
307. If average total cost is declining, marginal cost cannot be increasing.

A) True
B) False
308. In the short run, if marginal cost is higher than average total cost, producing an
extra unit of output must raise average total cost.
A) True
B) False
309. In the short run, the average total cost curve reaches its minimum point at a lower
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level of output than the short-run marginal cost curve reaches its minimum.
A) True
B) False
310. In some complex production processes, such as nuclear power plants, some
inputs have to be treated as being fixed even in the long run.
A) True
B) False
311. In the long run, some of a firm's costs are fixed, while others are variable.
A) True
B) False
312. Firms choose their level of fixed cost in the long run based on the amount of
output that they expect to produce.
A) True
B) False
313. When a firm adds physical capital, its fixed cost will decrease in the short run.
A) True
B) False
314. When a firm adds physical capital, labor will become more productive in the
short run.
A) True
B) False
315. When a firm adds physical capital, its variable cost will decrease in the long run.
A) True
B) False
316. The long run is the period during which fixed costs do not change.
A) True
B) False
317. In the long run, when a firm adds physical capital, workers become more
productive, so variable costs increase.
A) True
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B) False
318. The long-run average total cost curve shows the relationship between output and
the average total cost when fixed cost has been chosen to minimize average total
cost for each level of output.
A) True
B) False
319. The long-run average total cost curve shows the relationship between output and
the average total cost when variable cost has been chosen to minimize average
total cost for each level of output.
A) True
B) False
320. A firm always operates at some point on its long-run average total cost curve in
both the long run and the short run.
A) True
B) False
321. If output increases, a firm will move along its short-run average total cost curve
in the short run until it has time to adjust its fixed cost.
A) True
B) False
322. The long-run average cost curve is tangent to a series of short-run average fixed
cost curves.
A) True
B) False
323. The long-run average cost curve is tangent to a series of short-run average total
cost curves.
A) True
B) False
324. If a firm has to increase output suddenly to meet an increase in demand, its
average total cost will increase in the short run until it has time to add physical
capital.
A) True
B) False
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325. If a firm has to increase output suddenly to meet an increase in demand, its
average total cost will decrease in the short run until it has time to add physical
capital.
A) True
B) False
326. When a firm has to increase its output, average total costs will increase in the
short run and then decrease in the long run, after the firm has time to add
physical capital.
A) True
B) False
327. When a firm has to increase its output, average total costs will decrease in the
short run and then increase in the long run after the firm has time to add physical
capital.
A) True
B) False
328. Scale is the size of a firm's operations.

A) True
B) False
329. When the long-run average total cost curve is downward-sloping as output
increases, the firm has diseconomies of scale.
A) True
B) False
330. When long-run average total cost is constant as output increases, the firm has
constant returns to scale.
A) True
B) False
331. When the long-run average total cost curve is upward-sloping as output
increases, the firm has diseconomies of scale.
A) True
B) False
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332. Economies of scale are often the result of increased specialization, which can
occur when output levels increase.
A) True
B) False
333. Economies of scale most often occur in industries whose initial fixed cost of
plant and equipment is low.
A) True
B) False
334. A production function that is characterized by economies of scale will not be

subject to the operation of diminishing returns.
A) True
B) False
335. Diminishing returns are one explanation for diseconomies of scale.

A) True
B) False
336. If a firm builds a larger plant and increases output and if its long-run average
total cost does not change, the firm has constant returns to scale.
A) True
B) False
337. The advantage of specialization in production is one of the primary reasons for
decreasing returns to scale.
A) True
B) False
338. In the short run, why is it believed that the total product curve increases at a decreasing
rate when more labor is added to the production function?
339. Some people say, “There are too many cooks in the kitchen,” to describe any chaotic
scene where nothing gets done. Relate this phrase to short-run production functions.
340. Suppose a short-run production function always increases at a constant rate of three
units of output for every additional worker added. What does this imply about the
marginal product of labor? Is this realistic? Explain.
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341. It is time to pay the bills. You pay the rent, the basic cable bill, the electricity bill, and
your grocery bill. Which of these are good examples of fixed costs and which are
variable costs? Explain your reasoning.
342. (Table: Marie's Textbook Company) Look at the table Marie's Textbook Company.
Marie has fixed costs of $500 per month and hires workers for $2,000 each per month.
With as much precision as possible, calculate the following:
A) total cost of production when four workers are employed
B) the output level that produces the lowest average total cost
C) the price that Marie must charge to break even on the production of 130 textbooks
343. Describe the shape of the AFC curve and explain why it takes this shape. Can AFC ever
intersect the x-axis?
344. Consider the statement, “When the marginal cost is rising, the average total cost must
also be rising.” Is this statement true or false? Explain your reasoning.
345. A firm employs capital as a fixed input and labor as a variable input in the short run. If
the cost of capital falls, what will happen to the AVC, ATC, and MC curves? Explain.
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346. (Table: Cakes) Look at the table Cakes. Pat is opening a bakery to make and sell special
birthday cakes. Her estimated fixed and average variable costs if she purchases one,
two, or three mixers are shown in the table. Assume that average variable costs do not
vary with the quantity of output. Suppose that Pat used to produce 100 cakes, but she
has a sudden increase in demand, so that she begins to produce 200 cakes. Explain how
her average total cost will change in the short run and in the long run.
347. (Table: Cakes) Look at the table Cakes. Pat is opening a bakery to make and sell special
birthday cakes. Her estimated fixed and average variable costs if she purchases one,
two, or three mixers are shown in the table. Assume that average variable costs do not
vary with the quantity of output. Suppose that Pat used to produce 200 cakes, but she
has a sudden increase in demand, so that she begins to produce 400 cakes. Explain how
her average total cost will change in the short run and in the long run.
348. What are some factors that contribute to a firm achieving increasing returns to scale (or
economies of scale) in the long run?
Table: Marie's Production and Costs

Quantity of Quantity of VC TC MC
Labor (workers) Textbooks
0 0
1 20
2 80
3 130
4 170
5 200
6 220
349. (Table: Marie's Production and Costs) Look at the table Marie's Production and Costs.
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Marie has fixed costs of $500 per month and hires workers for $2,000 each per month.
Some of Marie's monthly production and cost information is in the accompanying table.
Calculate the missing information and complete the table.
350. The production function provides information about:

A) a firm's profit level.
B) the transformation of inputs into output.
C) the location of the firm's production.
D) a firm's market structure.
351. The level of inputs a firm employs will determine a firm's:

A) ability to produce output.
B) elasticity of demand.
C) stock price.
D) location of production.
352. (Table: Tonya's Production Function for Apples) Look at the table Tonya's
Production Function for Apples. Tonya is operating:
A) in the long run.
B) in the short run.
C) in a very expensive location.
D) at a loss.
Production Function for Apples. Tonya's fixed:
A) input is land.
B) input is labor.
C) inputs are land and labor.
D) inputs are neither land nor labor.
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Production Function for Apples. Tonya's variable:
A) input is land.
B) input is labor.
C) inputs are land and labor.
D) inputs are neither land nor labor.
Production Function for Apples. As she hires more labor, Tonya's production
function shows that the number of apples picked increases at a decreasing rate
because of:
A) diminishing returns.
B) increasing returns.
C) constant returns.
D) workers becoming lazier.
Production Function for Apples. The marginal product of the fourth worker is
_____ apples.
A) 7
B) 26
C) 5
D) 21
357. With one input fixed, a firm will find that as it attempts to produce more, the total
product curve increases at a decreasing rate and its marginal product curve is:
A) downward-sloping.
B) upward-sloping.
C) constant and horizontal at the marginal product axis.
D) constant and vertical at the quantity axis.
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Table: Linda's Copy Shop Production
358. (Table: Linda's Copy Shop Production) Look at the table Linda's Copy Shop
Production. Linda's production runs into diminishing returns to her variable
inputs when she employs the _____ unit.
A) second
B) third
C) fourth
D) fifth
359. Janet's poodle grooming salon has a total cost curve expressed by the equation
TC = 100 + 3Q2, where Q is the quantity of dogs groomed. Given this expression,
Janet is operating in the:
A) long run.
B) short run, and her fixed costs are $100.
C) long run, and her fixed costs are $100.
D) short run, and there are no fixed costs.
TC = 100 + 3Q2, where Q is the quantity of dogs groomed. Given this expression,
if Janet grooms five dogs, her total costs will be:
A) $100.
B) $175.
C) $225.
D) $75.
TC = 100 + 3Q2, where Q is the quantity of dogs groomed. Janet notices that as
she grooms more dogs, her total cost curve:
A) becomes steeper.
B) becomes flatter.
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C) stays constant.
D) becomes steeper and then becomes horizontal.
362. A firm's total fixed cost:

A) stays constant in the short run.
B) falls as the firm produces more output in the short run.
C) falls as the firm produces more output in the long run.
D) increases as the firm produces more output.
Table: Lindsay's Farm

The table provides information about the production function
for Lindsay's Farm, which uses labor and land to grow its
crops. The price of labor is $50 per worker per week and the
price of the land is $20 per acre.
Quantity of Land Quantity of Labor Quantity of Produce
(acres) (workers) (bushels)
10 0 0
10 1 50
10 2 100
10 3 140
10 4 170
10 5 190
363. (Table: Lindsay's Farm) Look at the table Lindsay's Farm. Lindsay's fixed cost of
production is:
A) $200.
B) $450.
C) $2,500.
D) $2,700.
364. (Table: Lindsay's Farm) Look at the table Lindsay's Farm. Lindsay's variable
costs of production:
A) stay constant.
B) are equal to 10.
C) are zero when she produces no crops.
D) fall as soon as she starts producing.
365. (Table: Lindsay's Farm) Look at the table Lindsay's Farm. When Lindsay
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produces 140 units of produce, her total cost is:
A) $200.
B) $150.
C) $350.
D) $500.
366. (Table: Lindsay's Farm) Look at the table Lindsay's Farm. When Lindsay
produces 50 units of produce, her total cost is:
A) $250.
B) $50.
C) $200.
D) $350.
Table: Bonnie's Production Function for Good Z

The table describes Bonnie's production
function for good Z. Assume labor is the only
variable input Bonnie uses to produce good Z.
Quantity of Land Quantity of Labor
(acres) (workers)
0 0
1 75
2 150
3 250
4 325
5 375
367. (Table: Bonnie's Production Function for Good Z) Look at the table Bonnie's
Production Function for Good Z. The marginal product of labor of the second
worker is _____ units of good Z.
A) 150
B) 225
C) 75
D) 250
Production Function for Good Z. Diminishing returns to labor occurs when
Bonnie hires the _____ worker.
A) second
B) third
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C) fourth
D) fifth
Production Function for Good Z. Suppose Bonnie spends $300 per month to rent
the building, $100 per month on insurance, and $100 per worker per month.
Given this information, Bonnie's monthly fixed costs equal:
A) $400.
B) $300.
C) $500.
D) $100.
Production Function for Good Z. The costs that vary with Bonnie's level of
production are her:
A) fixed costs.
B) variable costs.
C) rent and insurance.
D) costs that remain the same regardless of what she produces.
371. Diminishing returns are a reason:

A) the marginal cost curve is downward-sloping.
B) fixed costs remain constant.
C) the marginal cost curve is upward-sloping.
D) the average fixed cost curve is downward-sloping.
372. When a firm produces a small amount of output, the spreading effect:
A) is stronger than the diminishing returns effect.
B) is weaker than the diminishing returns effect.
C) and diminishing returns effect are equal.
D) is zero.
373. As production increases and the fixed cost is divided by larger quantities of
output, average fixed cost drops. This is referred to as the _____ effect.
A) diminishing returns
B) spreading
C) constant cost
D) increasing returns
374. The eventual increase in AVC as output increases is the _____ effect.
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A) diminishing returns
B) spreading
C) constant cost
D) increasing returns
375. If ATC is equal to MC, then the firm is operating:

A) at the minimum point of ATC.
B) on the downward-sloping portion of ATC.
C) on the upward-sloping portion of ATC.
D) at an increasing returns to scale.
376. The curve that illustrates the relationship between output and average total cost
when the fixed cost has been chosen to minimize average total cost for each level
of output is the _____ curve.
A) short-run average total cost
B) long-run average total cost
C) marginal cost
D) total product
377. When all of a firm's inputs are doubled, input prices do not change, and this
results in the firm's level of production more than doubling, a firm is operating:
A) on the upward-sloping portion of its long-run average total cost curve.
B) on the downward-sloping portion of its long-run average total cost curve.
C) at the minimum of its long-run average total cost curve.
D) on the upward-sloping portion of its marginal cost curve.
378. A firm's long-run average total costs increase as it produces more output. This
firm has:
B) constant returns to scale.
C) diseconomies of scale.
D) a spreading effect.
379. Economies and diseconomies of scale are associated with the:

A) long-run average total cost curve and the long run.
B) short-run average total cost curve and the short run.
C) marginal cost curve and both the long and short run.
D) average fixed cost curve and the short run.
Page 80
Answer Key
1. B
2. C
3. C
4. D
5. B
6. B
7. D
8. D
9. C
10. B
11. B
12. B
13. A
14. D
15. C
16. C
17. C
18. D
19. B
20. D
21. A
22. D
23. C
24. C
25. B
26. B
27. D
28. A
29. D
30. C
31. A
32. D
33. C
34. A
35. A
36. A
37. B
38. B
39. C
40. B
41. B
42. A
43. C
44. B
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45. B
46. C
47. D
48. A
49. D
50. B
51. A
52. A
53. A
54. A
55. A
56. D
57. B
58. B
59. B
60. A
61. B
62. D
63. D
64. C
65. B
66. B
67. B
68. A
69. C
70. B
71. B
72. D
73. C
74. C
75. A
76. C
77. B
78. D
79. B
80. C
81. D
82. B
83. C
84. A
85. A
86. D
87. A
88. B
89. D
90. B
Page 82
91. A
92. A
93. D
94. D
95. C
96. B
97. B
98. C
99. C
100. D
101. B
102. A
103. B
104. A
105. D
106. C
107. C
108. B
109. A
110. A
111. D
112. B
113. A
114. B
115. A
116. D
117. D
118. A
119. A
120. D
121. A
122. C
123. D
124. A
125. D
126. B
127. A
128. B
129. C
130. B
131. A
132. D
133. C
134. B
135. B
136. B
Page 83
137. C
138. C
139. D
140. C
141. B
142. C
143. D
144. B
145. D
146. D
147. A
148. A
149. C
150. D
151. A
152. C
153. A
154. B
155. C
156. D
157. C
158. B
159. A
160. C
161. A
162. B
163. B
164. B
165. B
166. D
167. A
168. C
169. C
170. A
171. D
172. C
173. C
174. C
175. A
176. D
177. A
178. A
179. D
180. C
181. B
182. A
Page 84
183. D
184. C
185. A
186. D
187. D
188. A
189. B
190. C
191. C
192. D
193. B
194. C
195. B
196. C
197. B
198. D
199. D
200. A
201. D
202. C
203. B
204. D
205. C
206. B
207. A
208. B
209. B
210. D
211. B
212. A
213. B
214. B
215. C
216. B
217. B
218. C
219. D
220. D
221. B
222. B
223. B
224. B
225. B
226. B
227. C
228. D
Page 85
229. C
230. D
231. A
232. B
233. B
234. A
235. B
236. C
237. B
238. B
239. A
240. A
241. C
242. A
243. C
244. A
245. B
246. C
247. B
248. A
249. B
250. C
251. B
252. C
253. B
254. A
255. B
256. A
257. A
258. C
259. C
260. D
261. A
262. B
263. D
264. C
265. D
266. A
267. B
268. A
269. C
270. A
271. D
272. D
273. C
274. B
Page 86
275. C
276. B
277. C
278. C
279. B
280. D
281. A
282. C
283. B
284. C
285. D
286. D
287. A
288. D
289. B
290. C
291. C
292. B
293. C
294. B
295. B
296. A
297. B
298. B
299. A
300. B
301. A
302. A
303. A
304. A
305. A
306. A
307. B
308. A
309. B
310. B
311. B
312. A
313. B
314. A
315. A
316. B
317. B
318. A
319. B
320. B
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321. A
322. B
323. A
324. A
325. B
326. A
327. B
328. A
329. B
330. A
331. A
332. A
333. B
334. B
335. B
336. A
337. B
338. The principle of diminishing marginal returns is at work. In the short run there is at least
one fixed input. Total product rises when more of a variable input is added to the fixed
input, but at a slower and slower rate. Each additional worker is working with a smaller
and smaller share of the fixed input, so the marginal product of that additional worker
falls.
339. The idea is that for a while you can add more cooks (a variable input) to a kitchen (a
fixed input) and produce more and more food. The total product in this case is rising.
However, at some point one more cook in the kitchen is associated with less production
because each cook has a very limited amount of capital equipment with which to work
and they get in each other's way. In other words, the total product has fallen, or the
marginal product of the last cook has become negative.
340. This implies that the marginal product of labor is always equal to three units of output.
Graphically, this would be a horizontal line at three units per worker. This is unrealistic
in the short run because there will be at least one fixed input in the production function.
Hiring more workers without changing any other inputs should produce diminishing
marginal returns at some point.
341. Fixed costs are the rent and the basic cable bill, because they are the same every month,
no matter how much television you watch or how many hours you are at home. The
electricity and grocery bills are variable costs. They are different every month because
your consumption of electricity and food varies. If you are always at home, these
payments will be higher. If you are never at home, these two payments will be lower.
342. A) When four workers are employed, Marie has VC = 4 × $2,000 = $8,000, plus FC =
$500, for a total of $8,500.
B) Average total cost is equal to $50 at output levels of 130 and 170 textbooks.
Somewhere between 130 and 170, the ATC reaches a minimum value before beginning
to rise.
C) At 130 textbooks, total cost amounts to $6,500. To break even, 130P must equal
$6,500, so Marie must charge $50 per textbook.
343. At low levels of output, the average fixed cost curve is very high because fixed cost is
Page 88
being divided by a small number. However, when output levels rise, average fixed cost
gets smaller and smaller, because the same fixed cost is being divided by larger and
larger numbers. No, average fixed cost can never intersect the x-axis. To do this, the
average fixed cost would have to take a value of zero, but the numerator of fixed cost in
the short run is never zero.
344. This statement is sometimes true and sometimes untrue. When marginal cost is above
average total cost and rising, average total cost is definitely rising. But when marginal
cost is rising and still below average total cost, average total cost is falling.
345. Because ATC = AVC + AFC, the ATC will shift downward. However, nothing will
happen to AVC or to MC, because these two curves are unrelated to the fixed cost of
capital.
346. When Pat produced 100 cakes, she would buy one mixer, and her average total cost was
$20. If her output increases to 200 cakes, in the short run she cannot add another mixer,
so her average total cost is $15. In the long run she buys the second mixer, so her
average total cost falls to $14.50.
347. When Pat was producing 200 cakes, she bought two mixers and her average total cost
was $14.50. If her output increases to 400 cakes, in the short run she cannot add another
mixer, so her average total cost is $10.75. In the long run she buys the third mixer, so
her average total cost falls to $10.25.
348. Larger firms have more opportunities to specialize both labor and capital to certain
tasks. A worker who specializes in a task gets more skilled at that task and so produces
more units of output. More skill translates to fewer mistakes and lower average cost.
Other factors include spreading a very large initial setup cost over many units of output,
managerial, accounting, and other organizational economies, and network externalities.
349. Quantity of Quantity of VC TC MC
Labor (workers) Textbooks
0 0 0 500 —
1 20 2,000 2,500 $100.00
2 80 4,000 4,500 33.33
3 130 6,000 6,500 40.00
4 170 8,000 8,500 50.00
5 200 10,000 10,500 66.67
6 220 12,000 12,500 100.00
350. B
351. A
352. B
353. A
354. B
355. A
356. C
357. A
358. C
359. B
360. B
361. A
362. A
Page 89
363. A
364. C
365. C
366. A
367. C
368. C
369. A
370. B
371. C
372. A
373. B
374. A
375. A
376. B
377. B
378. C
379. A
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Chapter 06 - Behind The Supply Curve

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1. A _____ is an organization that produces goods or services for sale.

2. In the short run:

5. The total product curve:

8. The term diminishing returns refers to:

9. The idea of diminishing returns to an input in production suggests that if a local

10. Diminishing returns to an input occur:

Use the following to answer questions 13-15:

16. In economics, the short run is defined as:

17. In economics, the short run is:

20. A fixed input is one:

21. The long run is a planning period:

22. In the long run:

25. The marginal product of labor is:

Figure: The Total Product

41. Diminishing marginal returns occur when:

Use the following to answer question 44:

Figure: The Unknown Curve

Figure: Change in the Total Product

51. Think about running a restaurant. Probably:

52. As defined in the text, the long run is a planning period:

54. In the long run:

55. The long run is:

58. (Table: Production of Bagels) Look at the table Production of Bagels.

59. Diminishing marginal returns means that:

63. The marginal product of labor is all of the following EXCEPT:

66. When a firm has diminishing marginal returns:

67. The long run refers to the period for which:

69. Which of the following cost concepts is correctly defined?

74. A fixed cost:

75. The sum of fixed and variable costs is _____ cost.

Use the following to answer questions 76-84:

85. The total cost curve is:

86. The fixed cost curve is:

93. Marginal cost can be calculated as:

95. If Marie Marionettes is operating under conditions of diminishing marginal

102. A firm's marginal cost is:

104. Which of the following statements is FALSE?

106. Marginal cost is the change in:

108. A firm's marginal cost is:

109. Marginal cost is the:

121. The _____ cost curve is NOT affected by diminishing returns.

Figure: The Average Total Cost Curve

126. Average total cost is:

127. Total cost divided by the quantity of output produced is:

128. Average variable cost is:

129. Average variable cost is the ratio of:

134. Average total cost is:

135. Average variable cost is:

136. Average total cost is the ratio of _____ cost to _____.

137. Total cost divided by the quantity of output produced is:

138. Average variable cost is the ratio of:

143. When marginal cost is rising:

151. If marginal cost is GREATER THAN average total cost:

152. If marginal cost is equal to average total cost:

153. If an increase in output results in a decrease in average total cost, the

Use the following to answer question 160:

163. In the short run, as output gets larger:

Use the following to answer questions 169-173:

Figure: Short-Run Costs

Figure: Short-Run Costs II

Figure: A Firm's Cost Curves

Use the following to answer questions 203-204:

Figure: Long-Run and Short-Run Average Cost Curves

136. Average total cost is the ratio of _ cost to _.