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0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Quantity of output 0 20 46 64 72 78 81 80 77 - 20 26 18 8 6 3

ID: 1189313 • Letter: 0

Question

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Quantity of output

0

20

46

64

72

78

81

80

77

-

20

26

18

8

6

3

-1

-3

Variable cost (workers)

0

$20

$40

$60

$80

$100

$120

$140

$160

Using the data above, assume the wage per worker is $20, please compute the marginal cost of each additional pair from 72 to 78 pairs of jeans.

I am wondering how to cacluate marginal cost of each additional pair if I wasn't given the total cost? Help...

#of workers

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Quantity of output

0

20

46

64

72

78

81

80

77

MPP

-

20

26

18

8

6

3

-1

-3

Variable cost (workers)

0

$20

$40

$60

$80

$100

$120

$140

$160

Explanation / Answer

When output = 72, number of workers = 4.

Total wage = 4 x $20 = $80

When output = 78, number of workers = 5

Total wage = 5 x $20 = $100

Since there is no other cost than the Wae cost (the only variable cost), Total Cost = Variable Cost (= Total wage).

So, for output = 72, Total cost = $80

When Output = 78, Total Cost = $100

So,

Marginal Cost per unit = Increase in Total Cost / Increase in output

= $(100 - 80) / (78 - 72)

= $20 / 6

= $3.33

Note: Always keep this in mind that, if there is only 1 type of cost given in a question and no other cost is mentioned, that is the only cost of production, and you need to treat it as total cost (as is the case here).