Define fixed and variable costs of production. Why do you think bigger firms may have a lower average total cost (ATC) than smaller firms? Explain. Define marginal physical product of labour (MPP) and the marginal cost of the product (MC). How are these two related? Why is MC called the mirror image of MPP? Explain. Why are firms called price takers in a perfectly competitive market? Why do different firms produce different quantities despite having the same price and MR curve in perfect competition? Explain.

Economics:
10th Edition
ISBN:9781285859460
Author:BOYES, William
Publisher:BOYES, William
Chapter22: Supply: The Costs Of Doing Business
Section: Chapter Questions
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  1. Define fixed and variable costs of production. Why do you think bigger firms may have a lower average total cost (ATC) than smaller firms? Explain.
  2. Define marginal physical product of labour (MPP) and the marginal cost of the product (MC). How are these two related? Why is MC called the mirror image of MPP? Explain.
  3. Why are firms called price takers in a perfectly competitive market? Why do different firms produce different quantities despite having the same price and MR curve in perfect competition? Explain.
  4. Being the only producer in a monopoly market, can a monopolist charge a very high price to maximize profit? Why, or why not?

From a societal point of view, can we claim that perfect competition and monopoly are equally efficient? Why, or why not? Explain.

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