Question

You operate a car detailing business with a fixed amount of machinery​ (capital), but you have recently altered the number of workers that you employ per hour. Three employees can generate an average product of 4 cars per person in each​ hour, and five employees can generate an average product of 3 cars per person in each hour. What is the marginal product of labor as you increase the labor from three to five​ employees?

Answer 1

Answer:

1.5 cars

Explanation:

Three employees can produce a total of:

= 4 × 3

= 12 cars in an hour.

Five employees can produce a total of:

= 3 × 5

= 15 cars in an hour

So, the increase in total product of labor as I increase the labor from 3 to 5 employees:

= Total product when 5 employees are hired - Total products when 3 employees are hired

= 15 - 12

= 3 cars.

So, the marginal product of moving from 3 to 5 workers:

= 3 ÷ 2

= 1.5 cars