A Downward-Sloping Portion of a Long-Run Average Total Cost Curve

question 161

Multiple Choice

A downward-sloping portion of a long-run average total cost curve is the result of

• A) economies of scale.
• B) diseconomies of scale.
• C) diminishing returns.
• D) the existence of fixed resources.

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Definitions:

Explicit Costs

Direct, out-of-pocket expenses paid by firms for inputs to production, such as wages, rent, and materials, as opposed to implicit costs which are not directly paid out in cash.

Implicit Costs

The opportunity costs that are not directly paid for or incurred during the production of a good or service.

Average Total Cost

The complete expenditure of manufacturing (incorporating steady and fluctuating expenses) divided by the aggregate volume of goods produced.

Output

The total quantity of goods or services produced by a company, sector, or economy within a given period.