Suppose that a firm's production function is given by Q = 2KL, where Q is quantity of output, K is capital, and L is units of labor. Note that MPL = K and MPK-L. The price per unit of labor and capital are $30 and $50 respectively. How many units of labor and capital should the firm use if it wants to minimize the cost of producing 480 units of output? L = 10, K = 24 L=12, K = 20 L = 20, K = 12 L = 24. K = 10

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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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### Cost Minimization in Production

#### Problem Description

**Scenario:**
A firm's production function is defined by \( Q = 2KL \), where:
- \( Q \) is the quantity of output,
- \( K \) is the units of capital,
- \( L \) is the units of labor.

**Additional Information:**
- The marginal product of labor (MPL) is equal to capital \( K \),
- The marginal product of capital (MPK) is equal to labor \( L \).

**Cost Information:**
- The price per unit of labor (wage) is $30,
- The price per unit of capital is $50.

#### Objective
The goal is to determine the combination of labor and capital that minimizes the cost of producing 480 units of output.

#### Given Options
- \( L = 10 \), \( K = 24 \)
- \( L = 12 \), \( K = 20 \)
- \( L = 20 \), \( K = 12 \)
- \( L = 24 \), \( K = 10 \)

#### Question
Which combination of labor and capital should the firm use to produce 480 units of output at the minimum cost?

#### Analysis
1. **Production Function Evaluation:**
   To produce 480 units, set \( Q = 480 \):

   \[
   480 = 2KL \Rightarrow 240 = KL
   \]

2. **Verification of Options:**
   - For \( L = 10 \), \( K = 24 \):
     \[
     10 \times 24 = 240 \quad (\text{Correct})
     \]

   - For \( L = 12 \), \( K = 20 \):
     \[
     12 \times 20 = 240 \quad (\text{Correct})
     \]

   - For \( L = 20 \), \( K = 12 \):
     \[
     20 \times 12 = 240 \quad (\text{Correct})
     \]

   - For \( L = 24 \), \( K = 10 \):
     \[
     24 \times 10 = 240 \quad (\text{Correct})
     \]

3. **Cost Calculation:**
   - Cost for each option:
     (i) \( C = 30L + 50K \)

     - For
Transcribed Image Text:### Cost Minimization in Production #### Problem Description **Scenario:** A firm's production function is defined by \( Q = 2KL \), where: - \( Q \) is the quantity of output, - \( K \) is the units of capital, - \( L \) is the units of labor. **Additional Information:** - The marginal product of labor (MPL) is equal to capital \( K \), - The marginal product of capital (MPK) is equal to labor \( L \). **Cost Information:** - The price per unit of labor (wage) is $30, - The price per unit of capital is $50. #### Objective The goal is to determine the combination of labor and capital that minimizes the cost of producing 480 units of output. #### Given Options - \( L = 10 \), \( K = 24 \) - \( L = 12 \), \( K = 20 \) - \( L = 20 \), \( K = 12 \) - \( L = 24 \), \( K = 10 \) #### Question Which combination of labor and capital should the firm use to produce 480 units of output at the minimum cost? #### Analysis 1. **Production Function Evaluation:** To produce 480 units, set \( Q = 480 \): \[ 480 = 2KL \Rightarrow 240 = KL \] 2. **Verification of Options:** - For \( L = 10 \), \( K = 24 \): \[ 10 \times 24 = 240 \quad (\text{Correct}) \] - For \( L = 12 \), \( K = 20 \): \[ 12 \times 20 = 240 \quad (\text{Correct}) \] - For \( L = 20 \), \( K = 12 \): \[ 20 \times 12 = 240 \quad (\text{Correct}) \] - For \( L = 24 \), \( K = 10 \): \[ 24 \times 10 = 240 \quad (\text{Correct}) \] 3. **Cost Calculation:** - Cost for each option: (i) \( C = 30L + 50K \) - For
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