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A Model of Production
4.1 Introduction
In this chapter, we learn
• how to set up and solve a macroeconomic model.
• the purpose of a production function and its use for
understanding differences in GDP per capita across
countries.
• the role of capital per person and technology in
explaining differences in economic growth.
• the relevance of “returns to scale” and “diminishing
marginal products.”
• how to look at economic data through the lens of a
macroeconomic model.
Introduction
A model
• is a mathematical representation of a hypothetical
world that we use to study economic phenomena.
• consists of equations and unknowns with real-world
interpretations.
Macroeconomists
• document facts.
• build a model to understand the facts.
• examine the model to see how effective it is.
4.2 A Model of Production
Vast oversimplifications of the real world in a model
can still allow it to provide important insights.
Consider the following model:
• Single, closed economy
• One consumption good
Inputs in the production process:
• Labor
• Capital
Production function:
• Shows how much output (Y) can be produced given
any number of inputs
Setting Up the Model – Production Function
Model
Output growth corresponds to changes in .
There are three ways that can change:
• Capital stock (K) changes.
• Labor force (L) changes.
• Ability to produce goods with given resources (K, L)
changes.
• Technological advances occur (changes in A).
• TFP is assumed to be exogenous in the Solow
model.
Cobb-Douglas Production Function
The Cobb-Douglas production function is a particular
production function that takes the form of
where and
Typical Production Function
Graph of
Note: If = 0 then = ( ) = 0.
10
6
y
4
k
2
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
k
Returns to Scale Comparison
• Sum of exponents • Result
• Sum to 1 • Constant returns to scale
• Sum to > 1 • Increasing returns to scale
• Sum to < 1 • Decreasing returns to scale
Allocating Resources
• : profits
• r: rental rate of capital
• w: wage rate
The rental rate and wage rate are taken as given under
perfect competition.
• Hire capital until MPK = r.
• Hire labor until MPL = w.
For simplicity, the price of the output is normalized to
one.
Marginal Products
The marginal product of labor (MPL) is the additional
output that is produced when one unit of labor is
added, holding all other inputs constant:
For 0 1…
Y = Af(K, L), or more specifically, Y = K L(1- )
Y/ K = K( -1)L(1- )
Y/ K = K( -1)/L( -1)
Y/ K = [K/L]( -1) > 0
One More Time: Second Order Derivative
The second order derivative of the Cobb-Douglas production
function – which is negative – shows that output (Y) will
increase at a decreasing rate for any given continued increase
in capital or labour. That is, the function exhibits a diminishing
marginal product of capital and labour.
• Income = production
4.3 Analyzing the Production Model
Development accounting:
• The use of a model to explain differences in incomes
across countries
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 9 – Answer
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 10
Capital per person explains about one-half of the
difference in per capita income between the richest
and poorest countries.
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 10 – Answer
Capital per person explains about one-half of the
difference in per capita income between the richest
and poorest countries.
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 11
In a Cobb-Douglas production function, the factor
share of income going to each input is equal to the
exponent on the input in the production function.
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 11 – Answer
In a Cobb-Douglas production function, the factor
share of income going to each input is equal to the
exponent on the input in the production function.
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 12
The standard replication argument implies that Italy
can raise its per capita GDP by doubling the amount of
capital per person.
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 12 – Answer
The standard replication argument implies that Italy
can raise its per capita GDP by doubling the amount of
capital per person.
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 13
If the marginal product of capital is less than the rental
rate of capital, the firm should rent more capital.
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 13 – Answer
If the marginal product of capital is less than the rental
rate of capital, the firm should rent more capital.
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 14
a. 10
b. 24
c. 48
d. 1,600
Clicker Question 14 – Answer
a. 10
b. 24
c. 48
d. 1,600
Clicker Question 15
You plot the production function for the United States
on a graph with output per person on the vertical axis
and capital per person on the horizontal axis. If a shock
occurs causing the productivity parameter to increase,
the production function would shift upward.
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 15 – Answer
You plot the production function for the United States
on a graph with output per person on the vertical axis
and capital per person on the horizontal axis. If a shock
occurs causing the productivity parameter to increase,
the production function would shift upward.
a. true
b. false
Clicker Question 16
What is the marginal product of capital (MPK) for the
production function =
a.
b.
c.
d.
Clicker Question 16 – Answer
What is the marginal product of capital (MPK) for the
production function =
a.
b.
c.
d.
Clicker Question 17
a. 5
b. 25
c. 125
d. 625
Clicker Question 17 – Answer
a. 5
b. 25
c. 125
d. 625
Clicker Question 18
According to Figure 4.5 (on the next slide), does the production
model accurately predict the level of per capita GDP for
Singapore?
a. Yes, because the predicted value of per capita GDP for
Singapore is close to the U.S. level (which is equal to 1).
b. Yes, because the predicted value of per capita GDP for
Singapore is close to the actual value of its per capita GDP.
c. No, because the predicted value of per capita GDP for
Singapore is different than the U.S. level (which is equal to
1).
d. No, because the predicted value of per capita GDP for
Singapore is different than the actual value of its per capita
GDP.
Clicker Question 18 (Figure 4.5)
Clicker Question 18 – Answer
According to Figure 4.5, does the production model accurately
predict the level of per capita GDP for Singapore?
a. Yes, because the predicted value of per capita GDP for
Singapore is close to the U.S. level (which is equal to 1).
b. Yes, because the predicted value of per capita GDP for
Singapore is close to the actual value of its per capita
GDP.
c. No, because the predicted value of per capita GDP for
Singapore is different than the U.S. level (which is equal to
1).
d. No, because the predicted value of per capita GDP for
Singapore is different than the actual value of its per capita
GDP.
Clicker Question 19