22. Suppose a firm has a production technology given by the Cobb-Douglas production function: Q=f(L,K) = AL¤ KB with a + ß < 1 and for all A, a, ß > 0, where L and K represent labour and capital respectively and A is technology. (a) Does this production function exhibit constant, increasing or decreasing returns to scale? Explain how you would be able to see this on an isoquant graph. (b) Set out the unconstrained profit maximisation problem (assuming input prices are w for labour and r for capital and the output price is p) and then solve for the unconditional input demand functions for capital and labour and find the firm's supply function (c) Now set up the cost minimisation problem and solve for the conditional labour and capital demands. What is the difference between the unconditional input demand functions from part (b) and the conditional input demand functions you have just derived?

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN:9780190931919
Author:NEWNAN
Publisher:NEWNAN
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
icon
Related questions
Question
22. Suppose a firm has a production technology given by the Cobb-Douglas production
function: Q = f(L,K) = AL¤ KB with a + ß < 1 and for all A, a, ß > 0, where L and K
represent labour and capital respectively and A is technology.
(a) Does this production function exhibit constant, increasing or decreasing returns to
scale? Explain how you would be able to see this on an isoquant graph.
(b) Set out the unconstrained profit maximisation problem (assuming input prices are
w for labour and r for capital and the output price is p) and then solve for the
unconditional input demand functions for capital and labour and find the firm's
supply function
(c) Now set up the cost minimisation problem and solve for the conditional labour and
capital demands. What is the difference between the unconditional input demand
functions from part (b) and the conditional input demand functions you have just
derived?
(d) Give an expression for the total cost function (no need to simplify) and explain how
the average and marginal cost functions are related to total cost. (You do not need
to derive a function for AC or MC). How would you derive the supply function from
this point and how would you expect it to be related to your answer from part (c)?
(e) If we were to consider the short run problem for a firm, rather than the long run
problem, would we expect to see their total costs being higher in the short run or in
the long run? Explain your answer using a diagram to help you.
Transcribed Image Text:22. Suppose a firm has a production technology given by the Cobb-Douglas production function: Q = f(L,K) = AL¤ KB with a + ß < 1 and for all A, a, ß > 0, where L and K represent labour and capital respectively and A is technology. (a) Does this production function exhibit constant, increasing or decreasing returns to scale? Explain how you would be able to see this on an isoquant graph. (b) Set out the unconstrained profit maximisation problem (assuming input prices are w for labour and r for capital and the output price is p) and then solve for the unconditional input demand functions for capital and labour and find the firm's supply function (c) Now set up the cost minimisation problem and solve for the conditional labour and capital demands. What is the difference between the unconditional input demand functions from part (b) and the conditional input demand functions you have just derived? (d) Give an expression for the total cost function (no need to simplify) and explain how the average and marginal cost functions are related to total cost. (You do not need to derive a function for AC or MC). How would you derive the supply function from this point and how would you expect it to be related to your answer from part (c)? (e) If we were to consider the short run problem for a firm, rather than the long run problem, would we expect to see their total costs being higher in the short run or in the long run? Explain your answer using a diagram to help you.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 5 steps with 18 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Profit Maximization
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Economics
ISBN:
9780190931919
Author:
NEWNAN
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134078779
Author:
Karl E. Case, Ray C. Fair, Sharon E. Oster
Publisher:
PEARSON
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134870069
Author:
William G. Sullivan, Elin M. Wicks, C. Patrick Koelling
Publisher:
PEARSON
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781305585126
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Economics
ISBN:
9781337106665
Author:
Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Michael R. Ward, Mike Shor
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Economics
ISBN:
9781259290619
Author:
Michael Baye, Jeff Prince
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education