CH 7 Eco
CH 7 Eco
Total Product as the total volume or amount of final output produced by a firm using given
inputs in a given period of time.
Marginal Product
The additional output produced as a result of employing an additional unit of the variable factor
input is called the Marginal Product. Thus, we can say that marginal product is the addition to
Total Product when an extra factor input is used.
Marginal Product = Change in Output/ Change in Input
Average Product
It is defined as the output per unit of factor inputs or the average of the total product per unit of
input.
Average Product = Total Product/ Units of Variable Factor Input
Returns to a factor refers to the behaviour of physical output owing to change in physical input of a
variable factor, fixed factors remaining constant.
Assumptions of Law of Variable Proportions::
1. It operates in short run, as factors are classified as variable and fixed factor,
2. The law applies to all fixed factors including land.
3. Under law of variable proportions, different units of variable factor can be combined with fixed
factor.
3. This law applies to the field of production only.
4. The effect of change in output due to change in variable factor can be easily determined.
5. It is assumed that, factors of production become imperfect substitutes of each other beyond a
certain limit.
6. The state of technology is assumed to be constant during the operation of this law.
7. It is assumed that all variable factors are equally efficient.