PATSON DAKA-D21040
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THE ZAMBIA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF BUSINESS, BANKING AND FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
EC350: MANAGERIAL ECONIMICS AND
OPTIMIZATIONTECHNIQUES
ASSIGNMENT REPORT ONE
NAMES
:
PATSON DAKA
STUDENT NUMBER:
D21040
LECTURER
:
Mr. BEN CHANSA
PROGRAM
:
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
DUE DATE
:
1
ST
SEPTEMBER, 2023
QUESTION 1- THE SCOPE OF MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS
a)
State the theory of the firm:
The theory of the firm refers to the microeconomic approach
devised in neoclassical economics that every firm operates in order to make profits.
Companies ascertain the price and demand of the product in the market, and make optimum
allocation of resources for increasing their net profits [ CITATION CHR20 \l 2057 ]..
b)
How does the theory of firm differ from short term maximization? Is the former superior to
the latter?
The theory of the firm and short-term profit maximization are related concepts, but they
differ in their focus and objectives. Here's how they differ, and whether one is superior to the
other depends on various factors and perspectives:
1. Objective: The theory of the firm is a broader economic concept that seeks to explain the
fundamental reasons for a firm's existence and how it operates in the long run. It considers
various aspects such as profit maximization, cost minimization, market structure, and the
firm's role in the economy were us Short-term profit maximization focuses specifically on the
goal of maximizing profits in the immediate future, often within a single accounting period
(e.g., a quarter or a year).
2. Timeframe: The theory of the firm can apply to both the short term and the long term, as
it encompasses a wide range of economic and strategic decisions that firms make over time
whereas It is a short-term orientation and tends to prioritize actions that can boost profits
quickly, sometimes at the expense of long-term considerations.
3. It takes into account not only profit maximization but also other factors like market
competition, cost efficiency, strategic positioning, and the relationship between a firm's
internal organization and external environment. Whereas in Short-term profit maximization
may lead to decisions that involve cost-cutting, reducing investments in research and
development, or neglecting sustainability and social responsibility in pursuit of immediate
financial gains.
Whether the theory of the firm is superior to short-term profit maximization depends on the
perspective and goals of various stakeholders, including business owners, managers,
investors, employees, and society as a whole:
1.
Long-Term Sustainability: From a broader perspective, the theory of the firm is often
considered superior because it recognizes that firms operate within dynamic and
complex environments. Focusing solely on short-term profit maximization can lead to
decisions that harm a company's long-term sustainability and reputation.
2.
Stakeholder Interests: Firms that consider the theory of the firm typically take into
account the interests of various stakeholders, such as employees, customers, suppliers,
and the community. This approach can lead to more balanced and responsible decision-
making.
3.
Shareholder Perspective: However, some argue that short-term profit maximization
aligns with the interests of shareholders who are primarily concerned with immediate
financial returns. Shareholders may view short-term profit maximization as the superior
goal if they can reinvest those profits in other opportunities to create long-term value.
In practice, the optimal approach for a firm often lies somewhere in between. Striking a
balance between short-term profitability and long-term sustainability is a key challenge for
businesses. The choice depends on a firm's strategic goals, competitive environment,
industry, and the values of its stakeholders. It's important for firms to consider both short-
term and long-term objectives to achieve sustainable success.
c)
How does the theory of the firm provide an integrated framework for the analysis of
managerial decision making across the functional areas of business?
We show that Firm theory is a microeconomic concept that firms the existence of a company
and makes decisions to maximize profits. The company's profits are maximized by creating a
distinction between revenue and expenditure. Strong theory influences many decisions,
including resource àllocation, production processes, price volatility, and production volume.
Long- term goals, such as sustainability, and short-term motivations, such as increased
profitability, are sometimes separated from modern methods of solid theory. A company's
revenue under its stated cost is called a business profit
The expense represents the actual cost of the company out of pocket. Economic profits are
calculated by deducting the firm's income from its open and hidden costs. The amount of
inputs owned and used by a company in its production processes is called the expense.
If the company's goal is to increase short- term profits, it may look for ways to increase
revenue while reducing costs. Companies that rely on fixed assets, such as machinery, will
need, however, large investments to make a profit over time. Short-term profits may be
disrupted if the money is spent to invest in assets, but it can help the company to work
longer. Decision- making for strong managers can be influenced by competition (not just
profit). If the dispute is heated, the company will need to restructure and change its offers so
that it can not only increase wages but also stay one step ahead of its competitors. As a
result, long-term gains can only be increased if the balance is obtained between short-term
gains and future investments [ CITATION CHR02 \l 2057 ].
QUESTION 2 – OPTIMISATION TECHNIQUES
a)
Define average and marginal
(i)
Revenue
Average Revenue (AR): Average revenue is the total revenue generated by a
firm divided by the quantity of goods or services sold. It is essentially the
revenue per unit sold. Mathematically, it's calculated as AR = TR / Q, where
TR is the total revenue and Q is the quantity sold.
Marginal Revenue (MR): Marginal revenue is the additional revenue a firm
earns by selling one more unit of a good or service. In other words, it's the
change in total revenue resulting from selling one additional unit.
Mathematically, it's calculated as MR = ΔTR / ΔQ, where ΔTR is the change in
total revenue and ΔQ is the change in quantity sold.
(ii)
Product
Average Product (AP): Average product is the total output or production
divided by the quantity of input used (typically labor or capital). It represents
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the average productivity of each unit of input. Mathematically, it's calculated
as AP = TP / L, where TP is the total product (output) and L is the quantity of
the input (e.g., labor or capital).
Marginal Product (MP): Marginal product is the additional output or
production resulting from using one more unit of input while keeping other
inputs constant. In other words, it's the change in total product resulting
from using one additional unit of input. Mathematically, it's calculated as MP
= ΔTP / ΔL, where ΔTP is the change in total product and ΔL is the change in
the quantity of input.
(iii)Cost
Average Cost (AC): Average cost is the total cost incurred by a firm divided by the
quantity of goods or services produced. It represents the cost per unit of output.
Mathematically, it's calculated as AC = TC / Q, where TC is the total cost and Q is
the quantity produced.
Marginal Cost (MC): Marginal cost is the additional cost a firm incurs by
producing one more unit of a good or service. In other words, it's the change in
total cost resulting from producing one additional unit. Mathematically, it's
calculated as MC = ΔTC / ΔQ, where ΔTC is the change in total cost and ΔQ is the
change in quantity produced
(iv)Profit
Average Profit (AP): Average profit is the total profit earned by a firm divided by
the quantity of goods or services sold. It represents the profit per unit sold.
Mathematically, it's calculated as AP = π / Q, where π is the total profit and Q is
the quantity sold.
Marginal Profit (MP): Marginal profit is the additional profit a firm earns by
selling one more unit of a good or service. In other words, it's the change in total
profit resulting from selling one additional unit. Mathematically, it's calculated as
MP = Δπ / ΔQ, where Δπ is the change in total profit and ΔQ is the change in
quantity sold.
b)
Examine the relationship between average product and marginal product.
Figure 1:The marginal product (MP) curve crosses the average product (AP) curve at the point where the average product
curve is at a maximum.
When MP > AP: This indicates that the marginal product of the last unit of input is
greater than the average product. In this scenario, the average product tends to rise
as additional units of input are used, which means that the production process is
becoming more efficient. When MP is greater than AP, firms may want to increase
the use of that input to take advantage of increasing returns to scale and improve
overall efficiency.
When MP = AP: When the marginal product equals the average product, the average
product is at its maximum point. This implies that the production process is
operating at its peak efficiency, and additional units of input do not affect the
average product. When MP equals AP, the firm is operating optimally, and there is no
need to change the level of input.
When MP < AP: If the marginal product is less than the average product, it suggests
that the last unit of input added contributes less than the current average. In this
case, the average product tends to fall as more units of input are added, indicating
diminishing returns to that input. When MP is less than AP, the firm may need to
consider reducing the use of that input or exploring alternative production methods,
as adding more of the input is resulting in diminishing returns.
Firms often use the relationship between AP and MP to make decisions about resource
allocation and input levels. They seek to maximize production efficiency while minimizing
costs.
c)
How does a firm determine the profit maximizing output?
Profit maximization is the process of finding the level of production that generates the
maximum amount of profit for a business.
A firm determines its profit-maximizing output level by analyzing the relationship between its
total revenue (TR) and total cost (TC). The primary goal is to find the output level at which
the difference between total revenue and total cost, known as profit (π), is maximized. This
can be done using marginal analysis, which involves examining marginal revenue (MR) and
marginal cost (MC). Here are the steps a firm typically follows to find the profit-maximizing
output:
1.
Calculate Marginal Revenue (MR): Marginal revenue is the additional revenue a firm
earns by selling one more unit of its product. It can be calculated by finding the change in
total revenue resulting from selling one additional unit: MR = ΔTR / ΔQ, where ΔTR is the
change in total revenue, and ΔQ is the change in quantity sold.
2.
Calculate Marginal Cost (MC): Marginal cost is the additional cost incurred by producing
one more unit of the product. It can be calculated by finding the change in total cost
resulting from producing one additional unit: MC = ΔTC / ΔQ, where ΔTC is the change in
total cost, and ΔQ is the change in quantity produced.
3.
Analyze the Marginal Relationships: Compare MR and MC. The profit-maximizing output
level occurs where MR equals MC (MR = MC). This is because, at this point, the
additional revenue earned from producing one more unit is exactly equal to the
additional cost incurred in producing that unit.
4.
Calculate Profit: Determine the level of output (Q*) at which MR equals MC. This is the
profit-maximizing quantity.
5.
Verify Profit Maximization: To ensure that the output level Q* indeed maximizes profit,
calculate the total profit (π) at this level. Profit is calculated as π = TR - TC, where TR is
total revenue, and TC is total cost.
6.
Check for Profit Maximization: If the total profit at the Q* level is greater than at any
other level of output, then Q* is the profit-maximizing output. If not, adjust the level of
output until the maximum profit is achieved.
d)
(i)
What is meant by the “concept of the derivative”?
the "concept of the derivative" refers to the application of calculus, specifically the concept
of the derivative, to analyze and understand various economic phenomena. The derivative is
a fundamental concept in calculus that measures the rate of change of a function with
respect to one of its independent variables. In economics, this concept is used to study how
economic variables change in response to changes in other variables [ CITATION JAM201 \l
2057 ].
(ii)
Why are the concept of the derivative and the use of differential calculus so
important to marginal analysis?
One of the most common applications of the derivative in economics is in marginal analysis.
The marginal concept refers to the incremental change in a variable resulting from a one-unit
change in another variable. For example, marginal cost (MC) is the derivative of the total cost
(TC) function with respect to the quantity produced (Q), which measures the additional cost
incurred when producing one more unit. Similarly, marginal revenue (MR) is the derivative of
the total revenue (TR) function with respect to quantity, indicating the additional revenue
from selling one more unit. Marginal analysis uses the derivative (or rate of change) to
determine the rate at which a particular quantity is increasing or decreasing. In this section,
the marginal functions that we will cover are those for the cost, average cost, revenue, and
profit functions. The last topic that will be covered is the elasticity of demand. No matter
which function we are dealing with, the word “marginal” indicates to us that we need to find
the derivative of the function. For example, if we are asked to find the marginal cost function
then we need to find the derivative of the cost function.
e)
(i)
What is meant by the “second derivative”?
The second derivative measures the instantaneous rate of change of the first derivative. The
sign of the second derivative tells us whether the slope of the tangent line to is increasing or
decreasing. In calculus, the "second derivative" of a function represents the rate of change of
the first derivative. In other words, it measures how the slope (or gradient) of a function
changes as you move along its graph. Mathematically, if you have a function denoted as
"f(x),"
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(ii)
How is the second derivative used in distinguishing between a maximum and a
minimum point?
The second derivative test is useful when trying to find a relative maximum or minimum if a
function has a first derivative that is zero at a certain point. Since the first derivative test fails
at this point, the point is an inflection point. The second derivative test relies on the sign of
the second derivative at that point. If it is positive, the point is a relative minimum, and if it is
negative, the point is a relative maximum.
f)
(i)
What is meant by the “partial derivative”?
a "partial derivative" is a derivative that measures the rate of change of a multivariable
function with respect to one of its independent variables, while keeping the other
independent variables constant. Partial derivatives are particularly useful when dealing with
functions of several variables, where changes in one variable may affect the function while
others are held constant. Mathematically, suppose you have a function
f
(
x , y
)
that
depends on two independent variables, x and y. The partial derivative of f with respect to x,
denoted as
∂ y
∂ x
represents how f changes concerning x, with y held constant. Similarly,
the partial derivative of f with respect to y, denoted as
δy
δx
, measures how f changes
concerning y, with
x held constant
(ii)
How is it determined?
For single-variable functions, determining the derivative is straightforward, and it's
essentially the same as finding the derivative in ordinary calculus. For example, if you
have a function f(x) and you want to find ∂f/∂x, you use the rules of differentiation.
Multivariable Functions:
In the case of multivariable functions, partial derivatives are calculated by treating
one variable as the variable of interest (e.g., x) and treating all other variables (e.g., y,
z, etc.) as constants.
To find
∂f
∂x
, you differentiate the function
f
(
x, y
)
with respect to x while
treating y (and any other variables) as constants.
To find
∂f
∂ y
, you differentiate the function
f
(
x, y
)
with respect to y while
treating x (and any other variables) as constants [ CITATION Rob16 \l 2057 ]
(iii)
Why is the concept of the partial derivative important in managerial economics?
The concept of the partial derivative is important in managerial economics
because it enables decision-makers to analyze and understand how changes
in multiple variables affect the behavior of economic functions, systems, and
models. In managerial economics, where complex decisions are often made
considering various factors, partial derivatives provide valuable insights and
tools for optimization, sensitivity analysis, and understanding the
relationships between variables.
Managerial economics often deals with models and situations that involve
multiple variables. For instance, in production analysis, firms consider how
factors like labor, capital, and technology affect output. In marketing,
variables such as price, advertising, and market size interact. The partial
derivative allows economists and managers to analyze how one specific
variable impacts the outcome while holding other factors constant.
Marginal analysis is fundamental in managerial decision-making. It involves
studying how a small change in one variable affects another variable, such as
how a change in price affects demand or how an increase in labor affects
production. Partial derivatives provide a precise way to measure these
marginal effects. For example, ∂Q/∂P represents how quantity (Q) changes
with a change in price (P), holding other factors constant.
In production and cost analysis, firms use partial derivatives to determine the
optimal level of input factors (like labor and capital) to minimize costs or
maximize production. The marginal product of labor (∂Q/∂L) and the
marginal product of capital (∂Q/∂K) are key partial derivatives used in
production analysis. Similarly, marginal cost (∂C/∂Q) is a crucial partial
derivative in cost analysis.
Firms aim to maximize revenue or profit. Partial derivatives help determine
the optimal pricing and production levels to achieve these objectives. For
example, firms use the marginal revenue (∂R/∂Q) and marginal cost (∂C/∂Q)
to find the profit-maximizing quantity (Q) and price (P).
the concept of the partial derivative is a fundamental tool in managerial
economics that empowers decision-makers to analyze complex interactions
between variables and make well-informed choices. By providing insights into
the rate of change of functions concerning individual variables, partial
derivatives contribute to efficient resource allocation, optimization, risk
assessment, and overall effective decision-making in a business context.
(iv)
How can we use partial derivatives to optimize a multivariate function?
Using partial derivatives to optimize a multivariate function involves finding the
critical points of the function and determining whether these points correspond to
maxima, minima, or saddle points.
Partial derivatives can be used to optimize an objective function which is a function of
several variables subject to a constraint or a set of constraints, given that the
functions are differentiable. Mathematically, the constrained optimization problem
requires to optimize a continuously differentiable function
f
(
x
1
,x
2
,...,x n
)
subject to a set of constraints. General form of the constrained optimization problem
where the problem is to maximize the objective function can be written as
g)
(i)
What is meant by “constrained optimization”?
Constrained optimization" refers to the process of finding the maximum or minimum of a
function while subject to certain constraints or limitations. In other words, it involves
optimizing a function while adhering to specific conditions or restrictions on the values that
the variables can take.
(ii)
How important is this to managerial economics?
Constrained optimization is crucial to managerial economics for several reasons:
constrained optimization is integral to managerial economics because it
mirrors the complexity of real-world decision-making. It allows decision-
makers to find practical, feasible solutions that maximize or minimize
objectives while adhering to the constraints that are inherent in business and
economic environments.
Realistic Decision-Making: In many real-world scenarios, decision-makers face
constraints on resources, budgets, time, and other factors. Constrained
optimization models reflect the practical limitations that businesses and
organizations encounter.
Resource Allocation: Managerial economics often involves allocating limited
resources efficiently to maximize some objective. Constraints represent the
scarcity of resources, and optimization helps determine how to allocate them
optimally.
Production and Cost Management: In production and cost analysis, firms aim
to optimize production levels, minimize costs, or achieve production targets
while dealing with constraints like labor availability, machine capacity, and
budget limitations.
Market Behavior: In pricing and market analysis, firms optimize pricing
strategies while considering factors such as demand, competition, and
production capacity. Constraints may include pricing floors, market share
targets, or production limits.
Risk Management: Constrained optimization helps firms manage risk by
finding optimal strategies that balance risk and return within predefined
constraints. For example, portfolio optimization in finance aims to maximize
return within risk tolerance limits.
(iii)
How can a constrained optimization problem be solved?
The commonly used mathematical technique of constrained optimizations involves
the use of Lagrange multiplier and Lagrange function to solve these problems
followed by checking the second order conditions using the Bordered Hessian. When
the objective function is a function of two variables, and there is only one equality
constraint, the constrained optimization problem can also be solved using the
geometric approach discussed earlier given that the optimum point is an interior
optimum.
h)
(i)
What is meant by the “Lagrangian multiplier method”?
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The Lagrange method of multipliers is named after Joseph-Louis Lagrange, the Italian
mathematician. The primary idea behind this is to transform a constrained problem into a
form so that the derivative test of an unconstrained problem can even be applied. Also, this
method is generally used in mathematical optimization. The method of Lagrange’s multipliers
is an important technique applied to determine the local maxima and minima of a function
of the form f(x, y, z) subject to equality constraints of the form g(x, y, z) = k or g(x, y, z) = 0.
That means it is subject to the condition that one or more equations are satisfied exactly by
the desired variable’s values.
To determine the minimum or maximum value of a function f(x) subject to the equality
constraint g(x) = 0 will form the Lagrangian function as:
L
(
x, λ
)=
f
(
x
)
– λg
(
x
)
Here,
ℒ
= Lagrange function of the variable x
λ = Lagrange multiplier
(ii)
How is the Lagrangian function formed?
Imagine youwant
¿
minimize somefunctionof two variables,say
f
(
x, y
)=
x
2
+
y
2
Clearly,thishas aminimumat
(
x, y
)=(
0,0
)
.
But whatif werequired x
+
y
=
1
?Whereis minimumthat obeysthis condition?
Thebruteforce wayis
¿
isolate y
=
1
−
x
,so
f
(
x, y
)=
f
(
x, y
(
x
))
¿
x
2
+(
1
−
x
)
2
=
2
x
2
+
1
−
2
x
¿
thusthe minimum ,by differentiating
:
f '
(
x
)=
4
x
−
2
=
0
isat x
=
1
/
2
,ie.at
(
x , y
)=(
1
/
2,1
/
2
)
.
Wecanalso writethe conditionlike so
x
+
y
−
1
=
0
=
λ
(
x
+
y
−
1
)
Wemultiplied by ,whichisallowed since weequate
¿
zeroanyway .
≤
t
'
sadd zero ,
thatis this specialkind of zero,
¿
f
(
x, y
)
:
f
(
x, y
)=
x
2
+
y
2
+
λ
(
x
+
y
−
1
)
.
Nowlet ' stry
∧
minimize again,but now consider x
¿
y
independent
:
∂f
/
∂x
=
2
x
+
λ
=
0
∂f
/
∂ y
=
2
y
+
λ
=
0
Eliminating λ
yields
x
=
y
Knowing x
=
y
immediately givesus
(
x , y
)=(
1
/
2,1
/
2
)
¿
x
+
y
=
1
.Soadding this λ
allowed us
¿
skipthe substitutionstep .Wecanalso solve for λ
if wewanted
¿
:
λ
=−
1
.
λ
isknownas a Lagrangemultiplier .I t
'
s simply asmart trick .I t
'
salso not very hard
¿
prove that
works,but let me skipthat here
.
∈
conclusion
:
A lagrangemultiplier isavariablethat weintroduce
∈
order
¿
find anextrema.
(iii)
How can constrained optimization problem be solved by the Lagrangian method?
The locations of the maximum and minimum of a function
f
(
x, y
)
subject to the
constraint
g
(
x, y
)
=
k
can be found using Lagrange multipliers. In this method,
the critical points are the solutions to the system of equations of the form
∇
f
(
x , y
)
=
λ
∇
g
(
x, y
)
and
g
(
x, y
)
=
k
where
λ
is the Lagrange
multiplier. Once we have the solutions (critical points), we classify them by comparing
their objective function values. The largest function value is the maximum and the
smallest function value is the minimum.
PART B: PROBLEMS
QUESTION 1
Mr. Chanda started earning $ 2,000 a month in a multinational company in Lusaka in 2016.
As per
his terms of appointment; he gets a salary hike of 10 per cent every year. Suppose that in Zambia
the rate of annual inflation has been 5 per cent for the last 5 years. How much will his salary be
2021?
YEAR
Calculation for increment and
inflation
Yearly salary ($)
2016
12000
×
12
24 000
2017
24000
×
(
1
+
0.1
1
+
0.05
)
1
25 142.85714
2018
24000
×
(
1
+
0.1
1
+
0.05
)
2
26 340.13605
2019
24000
×
(
1
+
0.1
1
+
0.05
)
3
27 594.42825
2020
24000
×
(
1
+
0.1
1
+
0.05
)
4
28 908.44864
2021
24000
×
(
1
+
0.1
1
+
0.05
)
5
30 285.04143
Therefore,
∈
2021
the salary per month
=
30285.04143
12
=
$
2523.753453
QUESTION 2
A middle aged man managing photocopy business for K25,000 per year decides to open his own
duplicating place. His revenue during the first year of operation is K120,000 and his expenses are
as follows:
Salaries to hired help
K 45,000
Supplies
K 15,000
Rent
K 10,000
Utilities
K
1,000
Interest on bank loan
K 10,000
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Required:
Distinguish between business profits and economic profits and calculate:
a)
The explicit costs
The explicit costs are the actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the man in
running his business. In this case, the explicit costs are: Salaries to hired help:
$45,000 Supplies: $15,000 Rent: $10,000 Utilities: $1,000 Interest on bank loan:
$10,000
Totalexplicit costs
=
45000
+
15000
+
1000
+
10000
=
$
89,000
b)
The implicit costs
The implicit costs are the opportunity costs of the man's resources that he could have earned
if he had not started his own business. In this case, the implicit costs are: The man's salary as
a manager of the photocopying establishment: $15,000
c)
The business profit
The business profit is the revenue earned by the man minus the explicit costs. In this case,
the business profit is: Revenue: $120,000 Explicit costs: $81,000
Business profit
=
120000
−
81000
=
$
39,000
d)
The economic profit
The economic profit is the revenue earned by the man minus both the explicit and implicit
costs. In this case, the economic profit is: Revenue: $120,000, Explicit costs: $81,000 Implicit
costs: $25,000
Economic profit
=
120000
−
81000
−
25000
=
$
14,000
The positive economic profit indicates that the man's resources is better utilized here.
e)
The normal
return on investment in this business
The normal return on investment is the minimum return required to keep the man in the
business. It is the opportunity cost of the man's resources, including his time and money.
In this case, the normal return on investment is:
Totalcosts
(
explicit
+
implicit
)
:81000
+
25000
=
$
106,000
Normal return on investment = $106,000 x 10% = $10,600 The man's business profit of
$39,000 is greater than the normal return on investment of $10,600, indicating that his
business is profitable enough to justify his decision to start it.
QUESTION 3
Given the following total-cost schedule:
Q
0
1
2
3
4
TC
1
12
14
15
20
Required:
a)
Derive the average, and marginal cost schedules
Average revenue
(
AR
)=
total revenue
(
TR
)/
Q
Marginalrevenue
(
MR
)=
change
∈
total revenue
/
change
∈
Q
Q
TC
AR
MC
0
1
1
12
12
11
2
14
7
2
3
15
5
1
4
20
5
5
b)
On the same set of axes, plot the total- cost, average cost and marginal cost schedules
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
0
5
10
15
20
25
TC
AC
MC
Axis Title
Axis Title
c)
Explain the relationship among the total cost, average cost and marginal profit curves in
part (b)
Note that we cannot calculate the marginal cost for Q=0, since there is no change in total
cost. Also, we can see that the marginal cost is increasing as the quantity increases. This is
due to the law of diminishing returns (each additional unit produced requires more
resources, and therefore increases the cost).
Note that we cannot calculate the average cost for Q=0, since it would involve dividing by
zero. Also, we can see that the average cost decreases as the quantity increases up to Q=2,
and then it starts to increase again. This is due to the presence of fixed costs (the cost of
producing one unit is high when the quantity is low, but it becomes lower as more units are
produced).
QUESTION 4
Find the best profit point of a firm whose total revenue and total cost functions are as follows:
R =
260Q -- 3Q
2
C =
500 – 20Q
(Hint : ie. How many units of Q will the firm need to produce to maximize profit)
To find the level of output at which the firm maximizes total profit, we need to find the level of
output where marginal revenue (MR) equals marginal cost (MC)
MR
=
d
(
R
)
dQ
=
260
−
6
Q
MC
=
d
(
C
)
dQ
=−
20
MR
=
MC
260
−
6
Q
=−
20
Q
=
140
3
units
QUESTION 5
a)
Calculate the approximate change in y on the function y = x
2
+ x – 2 as x increases from
2 to 2.1
dy
dx
=
2
X
+
1
x
+
Δ x
=
2.1
Δ x
=
2.1
−
2
=
0.1
dy
dx
¿
¿
2
∗
Δ x
=
(
2
∗
2
+
1
)
∗
0.1
=
0.5
Δ y
=
¿
y
+
Δ y
=
final y
final y
=
2
2
+
2
−
2
+
0.5
=
4.5
b)
Find turning points and points of inflection(if any) for the following curves
(i)
Y = x
2
+ 12x – 20
dy
dx
=
2
x
+
12
=
0
x
=
−
12
2
=−
6
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y
=
(
−
6
)
2
+
12
(
−
6
)
−
20
=−
56
Turning points
(−
6
,
−
56
)
a point of inflection corresponds
¿
d
2
y
d x
2
=
2
≠
0.
Henceit hasno pointof inflation
(ii)
Y = 40 + 3x – 2x
2
+ x
2
dy
dx
=
3
−
10
x
3
=
0
x
=
−
3
−
10
3
=
9
/
10
y
=
40
+
3
(
9
10
)
−
2
(
9
10
)
2
+
(
9
10
)
2
3
=
41.35
Turning points
(
0.9,41.35
)
a point of inflection corresponds
¿
d
2
y
d x
2
=
−
10
3
≠
0.
Henceit hasno point of inflation
QUESTION 6:
Constrained optimization by substitution
A firm seeks to maximize its total – profit function given by:
= 80X – 2X
2
– XY – 3y
2
+ 100y
But faces the constraint that the output of commodity X plus the output of commodity Y must be
12. That is,
X + Y =12
Required
:
Determine the production mix of X and Y units that will maximize total profits
UsetheLagrangian method
¿
maximizethe following profit function
:
π
=
80
X –
2
X
2
– XY –
3
Y
2
+
100
Y
Subject
¿
the following constraint
:
X
+
Y
=
12
(
output capacity constraint
)
Set the constraint functionequal
¿
zero
∧
obtain
0
=
12
– X – Y
Formthe Lagrangian function
L
=
80
X –
2
X
2
– XY –
3
Y
2
+
100
Y
+
λ
(
12
−
X
−
Y
)
Findthe
∂
derivatives
∧
solvesimultaneously
∂L
∂ X
=
80
–
4
X –Y
−
λ
=
0
∂ L
∂Y
=
– X –
6
Y
+
100
−
λ
=
0
∂L
∂ λ
=
12
−
X – Y
=
0
Subtract the second equation
¿
the first equation,weget
(
80
−
4
X
−
Y
−
λ
)
−
(
−
X
−
6
Y
+
100
−
λ
)
=
0
−
3
X
+
5
Y
−
20
=
0
Solve the system of equations
−
3
X
+
5
Y
−
20
=
0
12
−
X – Y
=
0
Solution
:
X
=
5,
Y
=
7,
∧
λ
=
53
Find
:
∂
2
L
∂ X
2
=
–
4,
∂
2
L
∂Y
2
=
–
6,
∂
2
L
∂ X ∂Y
=
–
1.
¿
(
∂
2
L
∂ X
2
∂
2
L
∂Y ∂ X
∂
2
L
∂ X ∂Y
∂
2
L
∂Y
2
)
=
(
−
4
−
1
−
1
−
6
)
is negativedefinitebecause ∆
1
=−
4
<
0,
∆
2
=
|
−
4
−
1
−
1
−
6
|
=
(
−
4
)
∗
(
−
6
)
−
(
−
1
)
∗
(
−
1
)
=
24
−
1
=
23
>
0.
So ,indeed ,wehave found profit maximizingoutput levelof commodities X
∧
Y .
So ,the profit willbe
π
=
80
∗
5
–
2
∗
5
2
–
5
∗
7
–
3
∗
7
2
+
100
∗
7
=
400
−
50
−
35
−
147
+
700
=
$
868
QUESTION 7. CONSTRAINED
OPTIMIZATION (Mansfield
)
The
Kloster
Company produces two products, and that its total cost equals
TC =
4Q
1
2
+
5Q
2
2
– Q
1
Q
2
Where Q
1
equals its output per hour of the first product, and equals
its output per hour of the second product. Because of commitments to customers, the amount
produced of both products combined cannot be less than 30 per hour.
Required:
Determine the levels of output of the two products which will minimize the firm’s costs using
:
a)
The substitution method
b)
The Lagrangian Multiplier, Lambda, λ
I.
Calculate the value of Lambda,λ
Q
1
+
Q
2
=
30
L
(
Q
1
,Q
2
,λ
)
=
4
Q
1
2
+
5
Q
2
2
−
Q
1
Q
2
−
λ
(
Q
1
+
Q
2
−
30
)
∂ L
∂Q
1
=
8
Q
1
−
Q
2
−
λ
=
0
∂ L
∂Q
2
=
10
Q
2
−
Q
1
−
λ
=
0
∂L
∂ λ
=
Q
1
+
Q
2
−
30
=
0
Solving these equations simultaneously,
8
Q
1
−
Q
2
=
λ ……
1
10
Q
2
−
Q
1
−
λ
=
0
……
.2
10
Q
2
−
Q
1
−(
8
Q
1
−
Q
2
)=
0
−
9
Q
1
+
11
Q
2
=
0
……
.3
Q
1
=−
Q
2
+
30
……
.4
−
9
(−
Q
2
+
30
)+
11
Q
2
=
0
Q
2
=
27
2
Q
1
=
−
27
2
+
30
=
33
2
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λ
=
8
∗
33
2
−
27
2
=
237
2
II.
Explain the significance of
Lambda, λ, in economic analysis
The Lagrange multiplier λ represents the marginal cost of production. It is the
amount by which the cost increases when one more unit of output is
produced. In this case,
λ
=
237
2
, which means that the cost increases by
$118.5 for each additional unit of output.
References
CHEN, J. (2020, April 7).
Economic Derivative: What it Means, How it Works
. Retrieved from
investopedia.: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/economic_derivatives.asp
Graham, R. J. (2016, 03 26).
How to Use Partial Derivatives in Managerial Economics
. Retrieved from
Dummies: https://www.dummies.com/article/business-careers-
money/business/economics/how-to-use-partial-derivatives-in-managerial-economics-
167044/
MURPHY, C. B. (202, December 23).
Theory of the Firm: What It Is and How It Works in Economics
.
Retrieved from investopedia: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/theory-firm.asp
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