Question

The table below presents the average and marginal cost of producing cheeseburgers per hour at a roadside diner.

Answer 1

Answer:

a. At a quantity of 40 cheeseburgers per hour, the average total cost of production is falling and the marginal cost of cheeseburger production is rising.

b. At a quantity of 60 cheeseburgers per hour, the average variable cost of production is  rising and the average total cost of cheeseburger production is at a minimum.

Explanation:

a. At a quantity of 40 cheeseburgers per hour, the average total cost of production is falling and the marginal cost of cheeseburger production is rising.

From the table in the question, it can be observed that the average total cost of production at a quantity of 30 cheeseburgers per hour is higher than the average total cost of production at a quantity of 40 cheeseburgers per hour, while the average total cost of production at a quantity of 50 cheeseburgers per hour is lower than the average total cost of production at a quantity of 40 cheeseburgers per hour. This implies that at a quantity of 40 cheeseburgers per hour, the average total cost of production is falling.

Also from the table in the question, it can be observed that the marginal cost of production at a quantity of 30 cheeseburgers per hour is lower than the marginal cost of production at a quantity of 40 cheeseburgers per hour, while the marginal cost of production at a quantity of 50 cheeseburgers per hour is higher than the marginal cost of production at a quantity of 40 cheeseburgers per hour. This implies that at a quantity of 40 cheeseburgers per hour, the marginal cost of production is rising.

b. At a quantity of 60 cheeseburgers per hour, the average variable cost of production is  rising and the average total cost of cheeseburger production is at a minimum.

From the table in the question, it can be observed that the average variable cost of production at a quantity of 50 cheeseburgers per hour is lower than the average variable cost of production at a quantity of 60 cheeseburgers per hour, while the average variable cost of production at a quantity of 70 cheeseburgers per hour is higher than the average variable cost of production at a quantity of 60 cheeseburgers per hour. This implies that at a quantity of 60 cheeseburgers per hour, the average variable cost of production is rising.

Also from the table in the question, it can be observed that the average total cost of cheeseburger production at quantities of 50 and 60 cheeseburgers per hour are equal and the lowest on the table, this implies that the average total cost of cheeseburger production is at a minimum at a quantity of 60 cheeseburgers per hour.