📚 Learning Guide
Profit Maximization in Labor Markets
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If Lead Mill Company is maximizing its profits but decides to hire an additional worker despite the Marginal Revenue Product of Labor (MRPL) being less than the Marginal Factor Cost (MFC), what is the likely effect on the firm's profitability?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Profit will decrease due to increased labor costs outweighing additional revenue.

B

Profit will increase because more workers lead to higher output.

C

Profit will remain unchanged as only one worker is hired.

D

Profit will decrease only if the market price of pencils drops.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

If the Lead Mill Company hires an additional worker even when the Marginal Revenue Product of Labor (MRPL) is less than the Marginal Factor Cost (MFC), it will likely decrease the firm's profitability. This is because the cost of hiring the worker exceeds the additional revenue that the worker generates for the company. For example, if hiring the worker costs the company $100 but the worker only brings in $80 in revenue, the company loses $20. This loss means that the decision to hire the worker was not in the best interest of maximizing profits. Overall, hiring workers should only happen when the revenue they produce exceeds their cost, or the company risks reducing its overall profit.

Detailed Explanation

Hiring another worker when the cost of that worker is higher than the extra money they bring in will lower profits. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that more workers always mean more output; It's a common belief that hiring just one worker won't change profits.

Key Concepts

Profit Maximization in Labor Markets
Marginal Revenue Product of Labor (MRPL)
Marginal Factor Cost (MFC)
Topic

Profit Maximization in Labor Markets

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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