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Fig.13
The shape of Long run average cost reflects the law of returns to scale.
According to the law, the unit cost of production decreases as plant size
increases due to the economies of scale which large plant size make possible.
The traditional theory assumes that economies of scale exist only up to a certain
size of plant, known as optimum plant size, because with this plant size all
possible economies of scale are exploited. Hence,
The Long Run Average Cost Curve is usually shown as U-shaped.
The downward sloping phase of the curve is described as economies of scale.
Economies of scale results from:
Full utilization of labour, machinery, buildings.
Ability to afford specialized labour and machinery and new
technology.
Price discounts for volume purchasing of inputs.
Price advantages when selling large amounts of output.
The upward sloping phase of the curve is described as diseconomies of scale.
Diseconomies of scale result from:
Lack of sufficient managerial skill.
Need to hire, train, supervise, and coordinate larger labour force.
Dispersion over a larger geographical area.
Disease control, waste disposal.
In practice economies of scale may not be exhausted until a large level of output
is achieved.
So the LRAC will be continuously downward sloping over that range of output.
Fig.14
Fig.15
Fig.16
For levels of output to the left of tangency a the short run average cost is
greater than long run average cost. At the point of tangency SAC 1 = LRAC. As
we move from point b to a, we actually move from a position of inequality
of SAC1 and LRAC to a position of equality. Hence the change in total cost (i.e.
the MC) must be smaller for the short run curve than for the long run curve.
Thus LRMC > SMC1 to the left of a.
TYPICAL LONG RUN AVERAGE COST AND MARGINAL COST CURVES AND
THEIR ATTRIBUTES
Fig.17
LRAC curve is normally U-shaped.
The downward sloping phase of LRAC curve describes economies of scale,
whereas upward sloping phase describes diseconomies of scale.
LRMC lies below the LRAC, LRAC curve is falling and when LRMC lies above
the LRAC, long run average cost curve will be rising.
When LRMC equals LRAC, LRAC curve is at minimum.
PRODUCTION RULES FOR THE LONG-RUN
If selling price > ATC (or TR > TC):
Continue to produce.
Questions
1The downward sloping phase of the long run average cost curve shows
a) Diseconomies of scale
b) Economies of scale
c) Both a and b
d) All of the above
2. When LRMC lies below the LRAC, LRAC curve is
a) Falling
b) Rising
c) Constant
d) None of the above
3. When LRMC equals LRAC, LRAC curve is at
a) Maximum
b) Minimum
c) Constant
d) Zero
4 The shape of Long run average cost reflects the law of
a) Returns to scale
b) Returns to size
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above
5 Long run average cost curve is also called
a) Envelope curve
b) Planning curve
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above
Answers
1 b)
2 a)
3b)
4a)
5c)