Skip to main contentSkip to solution

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.

In the short run, some of the factors of production of a firm ......

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 2

Option 1 -> Flexible - Incorrect. In the short run, not all factors are flexible; some are fixed.

Option 2 -> Remain Constant - Correct. By definition, in the short run, at least one factor of production (typically capital like machinery, buildings) remains fixed or constant.

Option 3 -> Increases - Incorrect. Factors of production don't necessarily increase in the short run; some remain fixed.

Option 4 -> Decreases - Incorrect. Factors of production don't necessarily decrease in the short run; some remain fixed.


Hence, Option 2: Remain Constant -> The short run in economics is defined as a period during which at least one factor of production cannot be changed and remains fixed. Typically, capital (buildings, machinery, equipment) is considered the fixed factor, while labor can be varied. This distinguishes the short run from the long run, where all factors of production are variable and can be adjusted. -> correct

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Left arrow: Previous question
  • Right arrow: Next question
  • S key: Jump to solution
  • Q key: Jump to question