effect of isocost
the answer
producers equilibrium is achieved with isoquants and isocost curves
l Characteristics of isocost curves:Ø An infinite number of isocost curves exist. One for each level of total cost.Ø The slope of the isocost curve is equal to the negative of the relative input price ratio, . This ratio is important because it tells the manager how much capital must be given up if 1 more unit of labor is purchased.
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All the combination of capital and labour that can be used to produce a given amount of output is called an isoquant.All the combinations of capital and labour that are available for a given cost is called an isocost.
The ISOcost line shows combinations of inputs that yield the same level of cost. It is not the same as the profit line, which represents combinations of outputs that generate the same level of profit. Profit lines are typically used to analyze profit-maximizing decisions, while ISOcost lines are used to analyze cost-minimizing decisions.
Isocost is the locus of all combinations of factors of production the firm can purchase with a given monetary cost outlay. Isoquant is the locus of all the technically efficient methods or all the combinations of factors of production for producing a given level of output.
A line along which the cost of something -- usually a combination of two factors of production -- is constant. Since these are usually drawn for given prices, which are therefore constant along the line, an isocost line is usually a straight line, with slope equal to the ratio of the (factor) prices.
Isoquant is the various combination of input for production while isocost is all combination of input which cost same amount.
Isocost Lines Recall that a universally accepted objective of any firm is to maximise profit. If the firm maximises profit, it will necessarily minimise cost for producing a given level of output or maximise output for a given level of cost. Suppose there are 2 inputs: capital (K) and labour (L) that are variable in the relevant time period. What combination of (K,L) should the firm choose in order to maximise output for a given level of cost? If there are 2 inputs, K,L, then given the price of capital (P k ) and the price of labour (P L ), it is possible to determine the alternative combinations of (K,L) that can be purchased for a given level of expenditure. Suppose C is total expenditure, then C= P L * L + P k * K This linear function can be plotted on a graph. ISOCOST K C/P k A B O C/P L L • N • P Figure 7.7: Isocost line If only capital is purchased, then the maximum amount that can be bought is C/P k shown by point A in figure 7.7. If only labour is purchased, then the maximum amount of labour that can be purchased is C/P L shown by point B in the figure. The 2 points A and B can be joined by a straight line. This straight line is called the isocost line or equal cost line. It shows the alternative combinations of (K,L) that can be purchased for the given expenditure level C. Any point to the right and above the isocost is not attainable as it involves a level of expenditure greater than C and any point to the left and below the isocost such as P is attainable, although it implies the firm is spending less than C. You should verify that the slope of the isocost is 1 - k L k L P P P C * P C ∆ L ∆ K EXAMPLE : Consider the following data: P L = 10, P k = 20 Total Expenditure = 200. Let us first plot the various combinations of K and L that are possible. We 1 The nagative sign is due to the fact that the slope of the isocost is negative.15 consider only the case when the firm spends the entire budget of 200. The alternative combinations are shown in the figure (7.8). P r o d u c t i o n F u n c t i o n K A 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 O B L C 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 1 4 1 6 1 8 2 0 Figure 7.8: Shifting of Isocost The slope of this isocost is -½. What will happen if labour becomes more expensive say P L increases to 20? Obviously with the same budget the firm can now purchase lesser units of labour. The isocost still meets the Y-axis at point A (because the price of capital is unchanged), but shifts inwards in the direction of the arrow to meet the X-axis at point C. The slope therefore changes to -1. You should work out the effect on the isocost curve on the following: (i) decrease in the price of labour (ii) increase in the price of capital (iii) decrease in the price of capital (iv) increase in the firms budget with no change in the price of labour and capital
Isocost lines are straight because they represent all the possible combinations of inputs that can be purchased for a given total cost. Since the cost per unit of input is constant along a straight line, different combinations on the line will have the same total cost. This allows firms to find the most cost-effective way to produce a given level of output.