📚 Learning Guide
Labor Market Dynamics
medium

A firm operates in a perfectly competitive labor market and is deciding how many workers to hire. It calculates that the marginal revenue product (MRP) of the fourth worker is $20, while the marginal factor cost (MFC) of hiring that worker is $15. Which category does this scenario belong to, and why?

Master this concept with our detailed explanation and step-by-step learning approach

Learning Path
Learning Path

Question & Answer
1
Understand Question
2
Review Options
3
Learn Explanation
4
Explore Topic

Choose the Best Answer

A

The firm should hire the worker because MRP exceeds MFC

B

The firm should not hire the worker because MRP equals MFC

C

The firm should hire the worker because MRP is less than MFC

D

The firm should not hire the worker because MRP is greater than MFC

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

In this scenario, the firm is making a decision about hiring workers based on the comparison of the marginal revenue product (MRP) and the marginal factor cost (MFC). The MRP of the fourth worker is $20, which means this worker adds $20 worth of value to the firm. The MFC of hiring that worker is $15, indicating that it costs the firm $15 to employ this worker. Since the MRP is greater than the MFC, it is beneficial for the firm to hire the fourth worker because they are generating more value than what it costs to hire them. This situation falls under the category of "profit maximization," as the firm aims to maximize its profits by hiring workers until the MRP equals the MFC.

Detailed Explanation

The firm should hire the worker because the extra money made from the worker (MRP) is greater than what it costs to hire them (MFC). Other options are incorrect because This answer suggests that the firm should not hire if MRP is equal to MFC; This answer is incorrect because it misunderstands the relationship between MRP and MFC.

Key Concepts

Marginal Revenue Product (MRP)
Marginal Factor Cost (MFC)
Profit Maximization
Topic

Labor Market Dynamics

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

Ready to Master More Topics?

Join thousands of students using Seekh's interactive learning platform to excel in their studies with personalized practice and detailed explanations.