--%>

Explain the shapes of the marginal-benefit and marginal-cost

Specify and explain the shapes of the marginal-benefit and marginal-cost curves and use these curves to determine the optimal allocation of resources to a particular product.  If current output is such that marginal cost exceeds marginal benefit, should more or less resources be allocated to this product?  Explain.

E

Expert

Verified

The marginal benefit curve is downward sloping, MB falls as more of a product is consumed because additional units of a good yield less satisfaction than previous units.  The marginal cost curve is upward sloping, MC increases as more of a product is produced since additional units require the use of increasingly unsuitable resource.  The optimal amount of a particular product occurs where MB equals MC.  If MC exceeds MB, fewer resources should be allocated to this use.  The resources are more valuable in some alternative use (as reflected in the higher MC) than in this use (as reflected in the lower MB).

   Related Questions in Business Economics

  • Q : Married men on average earn more income

    Studies indicate that married men on average earn more income than unmarried men of the same age?

  • Q : Illustrate how Microeconomics looks at

    Illustrate how Microeconomics looks at specific economic units?

  • Q : Which type of maximization required in

    Productive (technical) efficiency needs maximization of the: (i) opportunity cost of a specified value of output. (ii) resources used to produce a specified value of output. (iii) value of output produced for a given total cost. (iv) satisfaction atta

  • Q : Contrast a vertically integrated firm

    Contrast a vertically integrated firm, a horizontally integrated firm, and a conglomerate?

  • Q : Define Average cost and Marginal cost

    Briefly explain the term Average cost and Marginal cost?

  • Q : Illustrate the Optimal or best

    Illustrate the Optimal or best product-mix and also Law of increasing opportunity costs?

  • Q : Best society according to Utilitarianism

    Utilitarianism proposes such that the finest society is one which gives the: (w) fundamental goods to meet people’s requirements. (x) greatest happiness for the maximum number of people. (y) exact measurement of utility and disutility. (d) highe

  • Q : Wealth of Nations - pioneering survey

    The Wealth of Nations that a pioneering survey of economic treated was published within: (1) 1849 year, and written by Karl Marx. (2) 1936 year, and written by John Maynard Keynes. (3) 1776 year, and written by Adam Smith. (4) 141 BC,

  • Q : Resource market for economic capital

    Janet has loaned a start-up coffee house $50,000 and predicts to earn interest from her financial investment. In circular flow model this transaction is an illustration of: (1) An exchange of her saving for interest, via a resource market for the economic capital. (2)

  • Q : Competitive market economy will make

    Briefly explain how the competitive market economy will make the needed adjustments to reestablish an efficient allocation of society’s scarce resources?