Capital is held fixed. When 6 workers are employed, the average product of labour is 9.5 units and the marginal product of the 6th worker is 1 unit. What is the total product of 5 workers?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → 56 units
Given:
AP of 6 workers = 9.5 units
MP of the 6th worker = 1 unit
TP = AP × L, and the MP of a worker is the change in TP it brings.
\( TP_6 = 9.5 \times 6 = 57 \)
\( TP_5 = TP_6 - MP_6 = 57 - 1 = 56 \)
TP of 5 workers = 56 units
Option (1) 57 units — this is the TP of 6 workers.
Option (3) 9.5 units — this is only the AP of 6 workers.
NCERT (2026-27): “3.3.2 Average Product Average product is defined as the output per unit of variable input. … Values in this column are obtained by dividing TP (column 2) by L (Column 1). …” “3.3.3 Marginal Product … Values in this column are obtained by dividing change in TP by change in L. For example, when L changes from 1 to 2, TP changes from 10 to 24. MPL= (TP at L units) – (TP at L – 1 unit) Here, Change in TP = 24 -10 = 14 Change in L = 1 Marginal product of the 2nd unit of labour = 14/1 = 14”
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