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1) Short Run : Some factor inputs are fixed while others are
variable. The production in short run can be increased only by
increasing. Quantity of variable factors.
CONEPTS OF PRODUCT
10 0 0 0 0
10 1 4 4 4
10 2 10 5 6 (10 - 4)
10 3 18 6 8 (18 -10)
10 4 24 6 6 (24 -18)
10 8 20 – 4 = 16 2 - 4(16 – 20)
Y
T
A
Total product
TP
Point of inflexion
O L1 L2 L3 Unit of labour
X
AP
O L1 L2 L3 Units of labour X
MP
It states that as more & more units of a variable factor are applied
to a given quantity of a fixed factor the total product may increase
at an increasing rate initially but eventually it will increase at a
diminishing rate.
Assumptions
1. The law applies only in the short run.
2. One factor of production is variable & others are fixed.
3. All units of variable factor are homogeneous.
4. State of technology is given & remains the same.
5. Factor proportions can he changed.
(i) Overcrowding :- When more & more variable factors are added
to a given quantity of fixed factor it will lead to over crowding &
due to this MP of the Labours decreases & it goes into negative
Returns to Scale
Causes for the operation of Law :- the main reasons for the operation of the
different forms of returns to scale are found in economies & diseconomies of scale
Economies of Scale
It refers to the situation in which increasing the scale of production. Reduces the
per unit of cost of production or raises output per unit of factor inputs.
(ii) External Economies :- These are the economies which are industries
specific the are available to all the firms in the industry when the scale of
operation of the industry as a whole expands.
Eg :- economies of concentration, economies of info, economies of disintegration.
Economies to scale are responsible for increasing returns to scale.
(i) Internal diseconomies :- These disadvantages are firm specific & are not
shared by other firms in industry technical economies Eg : managerial
diseconomies, & Labour inefficiency.
(ii) External diseconomies :- these are the disadvantages which are industry
specific which are experienced by all the firms in the industry due to increase in
scale of production.
Eg :- Rise in input prices, higher wager, costlier transport.
1. Meaning
2. Time period
3. Factor proportions
4. Scale of production
5. Stages