Key Terms

Match each of the terms on the left with its definition on the right. Click on the term first and then click on the matching definition. As you match them correctly they will move to the bottom of the activity.

Question

Production function
Fixed input
Variable input
Long run
Total product curve
Marginal product
Diminishing returns to an input
Fixed cost
Variable cost
Total cost
Total cost curve
Marginal Cost
Average total cost
Average cost
U-shaped average total cost curve
Average variable cost
Minimum-cost output
Long-run average total cost curve
Increasing returns to scale
Network externality
Short run
Average fixed cost
Constant returns to scale
Decreasing returns to scale
long-run average total cost declines as output increases
the additional quantity of output produced by using one more unit of a given input
the quantity of output at which the average total cost is lowest—the bottom of the U-shaped average total cost curve.
a graphical representation that shows how the quantity of output depends on the quantity of the variable input, for a given quantity of the fixed input.
an input whose quantity is fixed for a period of time and cannot be varied
the time period in which all inputs can be varied
the additional cost incurred by producing one more unit of a good or service
the fixed cost per unit of output
the sum of the fixed cost and the variable cost of producing a given quantity of output
the relationship between the quantity of inputs a firm uses and the quantity of output it produces
the effect observed when an increase in the quantity of an input, while holding the levels of all other inputs fixed, leads to a decline in the marginal product of that input
a cost that depends on the quantity of output produced; the cost of a variable input.
total cost divided by quantity of output produced. Also referred to as average cost.
a graphical representation of the total cost, showing how total cost depends on the quantity of output
the increase in the value of a good to an individual is greater when a large number of others own or use the same good
long-run average total cost increases as output increases
a cost that does not depend on the quantity of output produced; the cost of a fixed input.
a distinctive graphical representation of the relationship between output and average total cost; the average total cost curve falls at low levels of output, then rises at higher levels
the time period in which at least one input is fixed
an input whose quantity the firm can vary at any time
the variable cost per unit of output
an alternative term for average total cost; the total cost divided by the quantity of output produced
long-run average total cost is constant as output increases
a graphical representation showing the relationship between output and average total cost when fixed cost has been chosen to minimize average total cost for each level of output

Production function, p. 182

Fixed input, p. 182

Variable input, p. 182

Long run, p. 182

Short run, p. 182

Total product curve, p. 182

Marginal product, p. 183

Diminishing returns to an input, p. 184

Fixed cost, p. 186

Variable cost, p. 186

Total cost, p. 186

Total cost curve, p. 187

Marginal cost, p. 189

Average total cost, p. 191

Average cost, p. 191

U-shaped average total cost curve, p. 192

Average fixed cost, p. 192

Average variable cost, p. 192

Minimum-cost output, p. 194

Long-run average total cost curve, p. 199

Increasing returns to scale, p. 200

Decreasing returns to scale, p. 200

Constant returns to scale, p. 201

Network externalities, p. 201