📚 Learning Guide
Marginal Analysis
medium

If a factory increases labor input while keeping machinery constant, and the additional output from each new worker begins to decline, how might this affect the marginal cost of production?

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

Marginal cost will increase as diminishing returns set in.

B

Marginal cost will decrease due to increased efficiency.

C

Marginal cost will remain constant regardless of output.

D

Marginal cost will fluctuate without any predictable pattern.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When a factory adds more workers but the machines stay the same, the first few workers can use the equipment efficiently and raise output a lot. As more workers are hired, each new worker contributes less and less extra output, a phenomenon called diminishing marginal product. Because the extra worker is producing fewer units, the cost of producing one more unit rises; this is the marginal cost. For example, if adding a tenth worker only adds five more units while the cost of that worker is fixed, the cost per unit goes up compared to the ninth worker who added ten units. Thus, the marginal cost of production climbs as the marginal product falls.

Detailed Explanation

When each new worker adds less product than the previous one, the extra cost needed to produce an extra unit goes up. Other options are incorrect because Some think more workers always lower cost because they think more people means more efficient work; The idea that marginal cost stays flat ignores how output changes.

Key Concepts

Diminishing Marginal Returns
Marginal Cost
Topic

Marginal Analysis

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.