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
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
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
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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](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Ffeeb79a1-23ea-4f54-b610-a8910f30c066%2F77ac4639-6fe3-4964-af99-7e79ce867191%2Fp81ngb7_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
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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