Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Economics

Chapter

Micro Economics: Production and Costs

Question:

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions based on the passage:

Long Run Costs

In the long run, all inputs are variable. There are no fixed costs. The total cost and the total variable cost therefore, coincide in the long run. Long run marginal cost is the change in total cost per unit of change in output. Increasing returns to scale implies that if we increase all the inputs by a certain proportion, output increases by more than that proportion. Decreasing returns to scale implies that if we want to increase the output by a certain proportion, inputs need to be increased by more than that proportion. Constant returns to scale implies a proportional increase in inputs resulting in a proportional increase in output. So the average cost remains constant as long as CRS operates. The LRAC curve is a 'U'-shaped curve. Its downward sloping part corresponds to IRS and upward rising part corresponds to DRS. At the minimum point of the LRAC curve, CRS is observed. For the first unit of output, both LRMC and LRAC are the same. Then, as output increases, LRAC initially falls, and then, after a certain point, it rises. As long as average cost is falling, marginal cost must be less than the average cost. When the average cost is rising, marginal cost must be greater than the average cost. LRMC cuts the LRAC curve from below at the minimum point of the LRAC.

The optimum output will be when the relationship between LRMC and LRAC is ________

Options:

LRAC cut LRMC from above at the minimum point LRAC.

LRAC cut LRMC from below at the minimum point LRAC.

LRMC cut LRAC from above at the minimum point LRAC.

LRMC cut LRAC from below at the minimum point of LRAC.

Correct Answer:

LRMC cut LRAC from below at the minimum point of LRAC.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (4) → LRMC cut LRAC from below at the minimum point of LRAC.

According to the passage —“LRMC cuts the LRAC curve from below at the minimum point of the LRAC.”

This means that when:

  • LRAC is falling, LRMC < LRAC.

  • LRAC is rising, LRMC > LRAC.

  • Therefore, the intersection point (where LRMC = LRAC) occurs exactly at the minimum point of the LRAC curve, and LRMC approaches it from below.

Hence, the optimum output is achieved when LRMC cuts LRAC from below at the minimum point of LRAC.