Given the total cost equation: TC = 144 +2Q+ Q² what is the average cost when the firm produces at the level of Q that yields the minimum average cost?

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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Given the total cost equation: TC = 144 + 2Q + Q², what is the average cost when the firm produces at the level of Q that yields the minimum average cost?

To find the minimum average cost, follow these steps:

1. **Understand the Formulas:**
   - Total Cost (TC) is given by the equation TC = 144 + 2Q + Q².
   - Average Cost (AC) is the Total Cost divided by the quantity (Q), or AC = TC/Q.

2. **Calculate Average Cost:**
   - Substitute the TC expression into AC: 
     \[
     AC = \frac{144 + 2Q + Q^2}{Q} = \frac{144}{Q} + 2 + Q
     \]

3. **Find Minimum Average Cost:**
   - To find the quantity (Q) that minimizes the average cost, take the first derivative of AC with respect to Q and set it to zero:
     \[
     \frac{d(AC)}{dQ} = -\frac{144}{Q^2} + 1 = 0
     \]
   - Solve for Q:
     \[
     -\frac{144}{Q^2} + 1 = 0 \implies \frac{144}{Q^2} = 1 \implies Q^2 = 144 \implies Q = 12
     \]
   - Check the second derivative to ensure it is a minimum:
     \[
     \frac{d^2(AC)}{dQ^2} = \frac{288}{Q^3}
     \]
     This is positive for Q = 12, confirming a minimum.

4. **Substitute Q into the AC Formula:**
   - AC = \(\frac{144}{12} + 2 + 12 = 12 + 2 + 12 = 26\)

Thus, the minimum average cost occurs when the firm produces 12 units, yielding an average cost of 26.
Transcribed Image Text:Given the total cost equation: TC = 144 + 2Q + Q², what is the average cost when the firm produces at the level of Q that yields the minimum average cost? To find the minimum average cost, follow these steps: 1. **Understand the Formulas:** - Total Cost (TC) is given by the equation TC = 144 + 2Q + Q². - Average Cost (AC) is the Total Cost divided by the quantity (Q), or AC = TC/Q. 2. **Calculate Average Cost:** - Substitute the TC expression into AC: \[ AC = \frac{144 + 2Q + Q^2}{Q} = \frac{144}{Q} + 2 + Q \] 3. **Find Minimum Average Cost:** - To find the quantity (Q) that minimizes the average cost, take the first derivative of AC with respect to Q and set it to zero: \[ \frac{d(AC)}{dQ} = -\frac{144}{Q^2} + 1 = 0 \] - Solve for Q: \[ -\frac{144}{Q^2} + 1 = 0 \implies \frac{144}{Q^2} = 1 \implies Q^2 = 144 \implies Q = 12 \] - Check the second derivative to ensure it is a minimum: \[ \frac{d^2(AC)}{dQ^2} = \frac{288}{Q^3} \] This is positive for Q = 12, confirming a minimum. 4. **Substitute Q into the AC Formula:** - AC = \(\frac{144}{12} + 2 + 12 = 12 + 2 + 12 = 26\) Thus, the minimum average cost occurs when the firm produces 12 units, yielding an average cost of 26.
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