A Production Function Exhibits Decreasing Returns to Scale If a Twofold

question 173

Essay

A production function exhibits decreasing returns to scale if a twofold (threefold, etc.) increase in all inputs increases output by less than twofold (less than threefold, etc.). For example, by doubling the use of capital and labor, the firm would less than double its output.
a. What would the average and marginal cost curves look like under decreasing returns to scale? Explain.
b. Give an example of a production function that exhibits decreasing returns to scale.

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Definitions:

Labor Demand

Labor demand is the quantity of workers that employers are willing and able to hire at a given wage rate, within a certain period.

Chemical Equipment

Machinery and tools used for chemical processing, including reactors, distillation columns, and pumps, among others.

Substitution Effect

A change in consumption patterns due to a change in the relative prices of goods, leading consumers to replace more expensive items with less expensive ones.

Price of Labor

The wage rate or compensation given to workers for their labor services, typically influenced by the supply and demand for labor in the market.