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Comprehension:

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions based on the passage:

Short run Costs

In the short run, some of the factors of production cannot be varied. The cost that a firm incurs to employ fixed inputs is called the total fixed cost. Whatever amount of output the firm produces, this cost remains fixed for the firm. To produce any required level of output, the firm, in the short run, can adjust only variable inputs. Accordingly, the cost that a firm incurs to employ these variable inputs is called the total variable cost. Adding the fixed and the variable costs, we get the total cost of a firm. In order to increase the production of output, the firm must employ more of the variable inputs. As a result, the total variable cost and total cost will increase. Therefore, as output increases, the total variable cost and total cost increase. Marginal cost is the increase in total variable cost due to an increase in production of one extra unit of output. For any level of output, the sum of marginal costs up to that level gives us the total variable cost at that level.

The total cost is equal to Rs.95 for 7 units of output and Rs.115 for 8 units of output. What is the marginal cost at the quantity of 8th unit?

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 3

Option 1 -> Rs.15 is incorrect as it doesn't match the difference between total costs.

Option 2 -> Rs.10 is incorrect; this underestimates the additional cost.

Option 3 -> Rs.20 is the difference between Rs.115 and Rs.95, which represents the marginal cost.

Option 4 -> Rs.25 is incorrect as it overestimates the cost difference.


Hence, Option 3: Rs.20 -> Marginal cost is calculated as the change in total cost when one additional unit is produced. MC = TC₈ - TC₇ = Rs.115 - Rs.95 = Rs.20. This Rs.20 represents the extra cost incurred specifically for producing the 8th unit of output. -> correct

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