Discuss the Potential Use of Nonlinear Curves in Cost Functions

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The Answer is Cost functions are not always linear. A nonlinear cost function is a cost function for which the graph of total costs is not a straight line within the relevant range of operations. One example is a series of straight line segments that change their slopes at critical intersection points within the range of operation. Another example would be a step function. A step function is a function where the cost remains the same over various ranges of the level of activity, but the cost increases by discrete amounts (or steps) as the level of activity advances from one range to another. In addition to the examples mentioned above, there are situations where the cost or use of resources can be represented by a curve instead of a single straight line or a group of segmented straight lines. One example of a curve is a learning curve. A learning curve is a function that measures how labor-hours per unit decline as units of production increase because workers are learning and becoming better at their jobs.

Discuss the Potential Use of Nonlinear Curves in Cost Functions

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