Describe the change in returns to scale & factor proportion, Microeconomics

Assignment Help:

Before explaining returns to scale it will be instructive to make clear the distinction between change in the scale and changes in factor proportions. The difference between the changes in scale and changes in factor proportions will become clear from the study of where the two factors labour and capital have been measured on the X axis and Y-axis respectively. We suppose that only labour and capital are required to produce a particular product. An Isoquants map has been drawn. A point S has been taken on the Y –axis ad the horizontal line ST parallel to X axis has been drawn. OS represents the amount of capital which remains fixed along the line ST. as we move towards right on the line ST the amount of labour varies while the amount of capital remains fixed at OS. In other words proportion between the two factors undergoes a change along the line ST the ratio of the variable factor labour to the fixed factor capital rises as we move towards right on the line St. thus the movement along the line ST represents variation in factor proportions. Likewise a vertical line GH parallel to the Y-axis has been drawn which also indicated changes in facto proportions. But in this case the quantity of labour remains fixed while the quantity of capital varies.

Now, draw a straight line OP passing through the origin. It will be seen that along the line OP the inputs of both the factors labour and capital vary moreover because the lineup is a straight line through the origin the ratio between the two factors along OP remains the same throughout. Thus the upward movement along the line Op indicates the increase in the absolute amounts of two factors employed with the proportion between two factors remaining unchanged. Assuming that only labour and capital are needed  produce a product then the increase the two factor along the line OP represents the increase into eh scale since along the line Op both the factors increase in the same proportion and therefore proportion between the two factor remains unaltered. If any other straight line through the original such as OQ or is drawn it will show like the line Op the changes in the scale but it will represent a different given proportion of factor which remains the same along the line. That is the various straight lines through the origin will indicate different proportions between the two factors but on each line the proportion between the two factors remains the same throughout.


Related Discussions:- Describe the change in returns to scale & factor proportion

Tranasctions and strategies by michaels, some fields have large enough quan...

some fields have large enough quantities of both oil and ntural gas taht coordination must be achieved for the production of both, reather than oil alone as in our examples. will f

Supply demand curve, an emission fee levied against polluting firms will te...

an emission fee levied against polluting firms will tend to shift the supply/demand curve of the firm/product to the left/right?

What is the theory of Second Best?, What is the theory of Second Best? Prov...

What is the theory of Second Best? Prove the theorem with the help of a diagram.

Production Possibility Curve, Explain the micro and macro economic issues t...

Explain the micro and macro economic issues that can be represented on the PPC

Chap 6, For the pizza seller whose marginal, average variable, and average ...

For the pizza seller whose marginal, average variable, and average total cost curves are shown in the following diagram, what is the profit-maximizing level of output and how much

What do you meant by monetary targeting, Q. What do you meant by Monetary T...

Q. What do you meant by Monetary Targeting? Monetary Targeting: A policy which attempts to directly limit the growth in total supply of money in the economy. It was main policy

Describe the price of monopolistic competition, Perfect competition and mon...

Perfect competition and monopoly are rarely found in the real world and thus they do not represent, for the most part, the actual market situations. Therefore, the conclusions whic

Externalities, What is a negative externality?

What is a negative externality?

Microeconomic theory, Homer consumes only donuts and beer. When he consumes...

Homer consumes only donuts and beer. When he consumes less than 10 beers, Homer would gladly drink one more. After drinking 10 beers, Homer is so drunk that he does not notice any

Unions, Unions are Organizations of working people which aim to bargain col...

Unions are Organizations of working people which aim to bargain collectively with employers in order to improve workers' bargaining power, regulate working conditions and raise wag

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd