1. Assume the following smooth production function: Q = Q(K,L) with positive marginal productivities. Let w and r the prices of labor and capital, respectively. a. Formulate the problem of minimizing costs subject to the technology. b. Explain under what conditions you might have to consider the case of corner solutions (optimal labor or capital equal to zero). Provide an example.

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1. Assume the following smooth production function:
Q = Q(K,L)
with positive marginal productivities. Let w and r the prices of labor and capital, respectively.
a. Formulate the problem of minimizing costs subject to the technology.
b.
Explain under what conditions you might have to consider the case of corner solutions
(optimal labor or capital equal to zero). Provide an example.
c. Assuming interior solution, present the first order conditions.
d.
Provide an economic interpretation to the optimality condition. In your answer, refer to the
Lagrange multiplier.
e.
Provide a graphical representation of the resulting optimal input combination.
f. Present the second order condition.
g. Explain how the strict convexity of the isoquants would ensure a minimum cost.
h.
Explain how quasi-concave production function can generate everywhere strictly convex,
downward-sloping isoquants.
i. Now, assume Q = AL" KB. Show that the expansion path (optimal combinations of capital
and labor for different isocosts) is characterized by a linear function.
j.
Show the previous result holds for all homogeneous production functions.
Transcribed Image Text:1. Assume the following smooth production function: Q = Q(K,L) with positive marginal productivities. Let w and r the prices of labor and capital, respectively. a. Formulate the problem of minimizing costs subject to the technology. b. Explain under what conditions you might have to consider the case of corner solutions (optimal labor or capital equal to zero). Provide an example. c. Assuming interior solution, present the first order conditions. d. Provide an economic interpretation to the optimality condition. In your answer, refer to the Lagrange multiplier. e. Provide a graphical representation of the resulting optimal input combination. f. Present the second order condition. g. Explain how the strict convexity of the isoquants would ensure a minimum cost. h. Explain how quasi-concave production function can generate everywhere strictly convex, downward-sloping isoquants. i. Now, assume Q = AL" KB. Show that the expansion path (optimal combinations of capital and labor for different isocosts) is characterized by a linear function. j. Show the previous result holds for all homogeneous production functions.
Greek Letters:
0: Usually a "type" of some sort; private information.
6: (Normal, exponential) discount rate; one period from now is worth d as much as now.
T: Used for many things, for instance, profit or probabilities.
Geometric Series:
If you have a geometric series arx¹, where a is any constant and 0 < x < 1, then the
series converges to
'i=0
Transcribed Image Text:Greek Letters: 0: Usually a "type" of some sort; private information. 6: (Normal, exponential) discount rate; one period from now is worth d as much as now. T: Used for many things, for instance, profit or probabilities. Geometric Series: If you have a geometric series arx¹, where a is any constant and 0 < x < 1, then the series converges to 'i=0
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Please continue to solve from part d to part j. Thank you very much

1. Assume the following smooth production function:
Q = Q(K,L)
with positive marginal productivities. Let w and r the prices of labor and capital, respectively.
a. Formulate the problem of minimizing costs subject to the technology.
b.
Explain under what conditions you might have to consider the case of corner solutions
(optimal labor or capital equal to zero). Provide an example.
c. Assuming interior solution, present the first order conditions.
d.
Provide an economic interpretation to the optimality condition. In your answer, refer to the
Lagrange multiplier.
e.
Provide a graphical representation of the resulting optimal input combination.
f. Present the second order condition.
g. Explain how the strict convexity of the isoquants would ensure a minimum cost.
h.
Explain how quasi-concave production function can generate everywhere strictly convex,
downward-sloping isoquants.
i. Now, assume Q = AL" KB. Show that the expansion path (optimal combinations of capital
and labor for different isocosts) is characterized by a linear function.
j.
Show the previous result holds for all homogeneous production functions.
Transcribed Image Text:1. Assume the following smooth production function: Q = Q(K,L) with positive marginal productivities. Let w and r the prices of labor and capital, respectively. a. Formulate the problem of minimizing costs subject to the technology. b. Explain under what conditions you might have to consider the case of corner solutions (optimal labor or capital equal to zero). Provide an example. c. Assuming interior solution, present the first order conditions. d. Provide an economic interpretation to the optimality condition. In your answer, refer to the Lagrange multiplier. e. Provide a graphical representation of the resulting optimal input combination. f. Present the second order condition. g. Explain how the strict convexity of the isoquants would ensure a minimum cost. h. Explain how quasi-concave production function can generate everywhere strictly convex, downward-sloping isoquants. i. Now, assume Q = AL" KB. Show that the expansion path (optimal combinations of capital and labor for different isocosts) is characterized by a linear function. j. Show the previous result holds for all homogeneous production functions.
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