2. A firm has a production function given by the following table: Units of Labor 1 2 3 4 5 K=1 3 8 12 15 17 K=2 10 15 19 22 24 K=3 16 21 25 28 30 K=4 20 25 28 30 31 (1) Suppose that K is fixed at 2. Does this production function exhibit diminishing marginal returns? (ii) Does this production function exhibit constant returns to scale for all values of K and L?

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### Production Function Analysis

#### A firm has a production function given by the following table:

| Units of Labor | 1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  |
|----------------|----|----|----|----|----|
| **K = 1**      | 3  | 8  | 12 | 15 | 17 |
| **K = 2**      | 10 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 24 |
| **K = 3**      | 16 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 30 |
| **K = 4**      | 20 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 31 |

#### Questions:

**i) Suppose that \( K \) is fixed at 2. Does this production function exhibit diminishing marginal returns?**

To determine if diminishing marginal returns are present when \( K \) is fixed at 2, observe the marginal product of labor as labor increases:

- From Labor 1 to Labor 2: \( 15 - 10 = 5 \) (Marginal increase: 5)
- From Labor 2 to Labor 3: \( 19 - 15 = 4 \) (Marginal increase: 4)
- From Labor 3 to Labor 4: \( 22 - 19 = 3 \) (Marginal increase: 3)
- From Labor 4 to Labor 5: \( 24 - 22 = 2 \) (Marginal increase: 2)

The marginal product of labor is decreasing as the number of labor units increases, indicating diminishing marginal returns.

**ii) Does this production function exhibit constant returns to scale for all values of \( K \) and \( L \)?**

To determine if the production function exhibits constant returns to scale, we compare the output resulting from proportional increases in both inputs \( K \) and \( L \). 

- If we double both \( K \) and \( L \), check if the output doubles as well from the initial inputs to twice the initial inputs. 

For example, starting with \( K = 1 \), \( L = 1 \) (Output = 3), to \( K = 2 \), \( L = 2 \) (Output = 15), and then \( K = 4 \), \( L = 4 \)
Transcribed Image Text:### Production Function Analysis #### A firm has a production function given by the following table: | Units of Labor | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |----------------|----|----|----|----|----| | **K = 1** | 3 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 17 | | **K = 2** | 10 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 24 | | **K = 3** | 16 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 30 | | **K = 4** | 20 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 31 | #### Questions: **i) Suppose that \( K \) is fixed at 2. Does this production function exhibit diminishing marginal returns?** To determine if diminishing marginal returns are present when \( K \) is fixed at 2, observe the marginal product of labor as labor increases: - From Labor 1 to Labor 2: \( 15 - 10 = 5 \) (Marginal increase: 5) - From Labor 2 to Labor 3: \( 19 - 15 = 4 \) (Marginal increase: 4) - From Labor 3 to Labor 4: \( 22 - 19 = 3 \) (Marginal increase: 3) - From Labor 4 to Labor 5: \( 24 - 22 = 2 \) (Marginal increase: 2) The marginal product of labor is decreasing as the number of labor units increases, indicating diminishing marginal returns. **ii) Does this production function exhibit constant returns to scale for all values of \( K \) and \( L \)?** To determine if the production function exhibits constant returns to scale, we compare the output resulting from proportional increases in both inputs \( K \) and \( L \). - If we double both \( K \) and \( L \), check if the output doubles as well from the initial inputs to twice the initial inputs. For example, starting with \( K = 1 \), \( L = 1 \) (Output = 3), to \( K = 2 \), \( L = 2 \) (Output = 15), and then \( K = 4 \), \( L = 4 \)
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