The marginal product of labor for a firm is given by: MPL = 176 - 4H, where H is the number of hours they hire workers to work. For example, the marginal product of the first hour of labor would be 176-4*1, and the marginal product of the second hour of labor would be 176-4*2. If the market wage is $14 per hour, how many hours of labor will this firm hire? Round your final answer to two decimal places.

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN:9780190931919
Author:NEWNAN
Publisher:NEWNAN
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
icon
Related questions
Question
**Understanding Marginal Product of Labor for a Firm**

The marginal product of labor (MPL) for a firm is given by the formula:
\[ \text{MPL} = 176 - 4H \]

Here, \( H \) represents the number of hours the firm hires workers to work.

#### Example Calculations:
- For the first hour of labor:
  \[ \text{MPL} = 176 - 4 \times 1 = 176 - 4 = 172 \]

- For the second hour of labor:
  \[ \text{MPL} = 176 - 4 \times 2 = 176 - 8 = 168 \]

If the market wage is $14 per hour, the firm will hire labor up to the point where the marginal product of labor equals the market wage.

#### Question:
**How many hours of labor will this firm hire?**

**Solution:**
To find how many hours the firm will hire, set the marginal product of labor equal to the market wage:
\[ 176 - 4H = 14 \]

Solve for \( H \):
1. Subtract 14 from both sides:
   \[ 176 - 14 = 4H \]
2. Simplify:
   \[ 162 = 4H \]
3. Divide by 4:
   \[ H = \frac{162}{4} = 40.50 \]

Thus, the firm will hire **40.50 hours of labor**.

**Note:** Always round your final answer to two decimal places, where applicable.
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding Marginal Product of Labor for a Firm** The marginal product of labor (MPL) for a firm is given by the formula: \[ \text{MPL} = 176 - 4H \] Here, \( H \) represents the number of hours the firm hires workers to work. #### Example Calculations: - For the first hour of labor: \[ \text{MPL} = 176 - 4 \times 1 = 176 - 4 = 172 \] - For the second hour of labor: \[ \text{MPL} = 176 - 4 \times 2 = 176 - 8 = 168 \] If the market wage is $14 per hour, the firm will hire labor up to the point where the marginal product of labor equals the market wage. #### Question: **How many hours of labor will this firm hire?** **Solution:** To find how many hours the firm will hire, set the marginal product of labor equal to the market wage: \[ 176 - 4H = 14 \] Solve for \( H \): 1. Subtract 14 from both sides: \[ 176 - 14 = 4H \] 2. Simplify: \[ 162 = 4H \] 3. Divide by 4: \[ H = \frac{162}{4} = 40.50 \] Thus, the firm will hire **40.50 hours of labor**. **Note:** Always round your final answer to two decimal places, where applicable.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Competitive Markets
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