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Comprehension:

Read the given paragraph carefully and answer the following questions.

Total Product, Average Product and Marginal Product

The relationship between the variable input and output, keeping all other inputs constant, is often referred to as total product (TP) of the variable input. Average product (AP) is defined as the output per unit of variable input. Marginal product (MP) of an input is defined as the change in output per unit of change in the input when all other inputs are held constant. According to the law of variable proportions, the marginal product of an input initially rises and then, after a certain level of employment, it starts falling. As long as AP increases, it must be the case that MP is greater than AP. Otherwise, AP cannot rise. Similarly, when AP falls, MP has to be less than AP. It follows that MP curve cuts AP curve from above at its maximum.

The case where a marginal product is greater than the average product, where?

  1. MP cut AP at Minimum
  2. AP remains Constant
  3. AP Decreases
  4. AP Increases

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 4

Option 1 -> MP cuts AP at its maximum point, not minimum.

Option 2 -> AP remains constant only when MP equals AP.

Option 3 -> AP decreases when MP is less than AP.

Option 4 -> When MP > AP, each additional unit contributes more than the average, pulling the average upward.


Hence, Option 4: AP Increases -> This follows the fundamental relationship between marginal and average values. When the marginal product exceeds the average product, it pulls the average upward, causing AP to increase. This is similar to how scoring above your current average in exams raises your overall average. The MP curve intersects the AP curve at AP's maximum point, and when MP is above AP (before intersection), AP is rising. -> correct

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