Answer to Question #58167 in Microeconomics for Lauren

Question #58167
Suppose that the production function for iPods is Q = 20K0.5L0.5. The marginal product of labor is 10(K/L)0.5, and the marginal product of capital is 10(L/K)0.5. Suppose that labor can be hired for $6, and capital can be rented for $9. If the firm has exactly $300 to spend on producing iPods, what is the maximum number of iPods it can produce?
1
Expert's answer
2016-03-09T08:36:42-0500
Q = 20K^0.5*L^0.5, MPL = 10(K/L)^0.5, MPK = 10(L/K)^0.5.
PL = $6, PK = $9.
In microeconomic theory, the Marginal Rate of Technical Substitution (MRTS) is the amount by which the quantity of one input has to be reduced when one extra unit of another input is used, so that output remains constant.
The firm's marginal rate of technical substitution will be:
MRTS = MPL/MPK = (10(K/L)^0.5) / ((10(L/K)^0.5) = (K/L)^0.5 / (L/K)^0.5 = (K/L)^0.5*(K/L)^0.5 = K/L
In this case the highest amount of output is produced, when K = L, so 6L + 9K = 300,
6L + 9L = 300,
15L = 300
L = K = 20 units.
Q = 20*20^0.5*20^0.5 = 400 iPods.

Need a fast expert's response?

Submit order

and get a quick answer at the best price

for any assignment or question with DETAILED EXPLANATIONS!

Comments

Assignment Expert
23.11.17, 13:05

Dear visitor, please use panel for submitting new questions

Nik
22.11.17, 19:57

Supppose that a farm's production function is determined by two factors: land area (K) and labour (L). The production function is specified as follows: Q = 64K^0.5 L^>5 The farm's land area is 500 acres The unit cost of capital and labour is as follows: - land $10 per acre - labour $500 per labour

Leave a comment

LATEST TUTORIALS
New on Blog
APPROVED BY CLIENTS