A firm has three different production facilities, all of which produce the same product. While reviewing the firm’s cost data, Ron, a manager, discovered that one of the plants has a higher average cost than the other plans and suggests closing this plant. Another manager, Jack, notes that the high- cost plant has high fixed costs but that the marginal cost in this plant is lower than in the other plants. He says that the high-cost plant should not be shut down but should expand its operations. Who is right?

Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
8th Edition
ISBN:9781337091992
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:N. Gregory Mankiw
Chapter12: The Cost Of Production
Section12.3: The Various Measures Of Cost
Problem 3QQ
icon
Related questions
Question

A firm has three different production facilities, all of which produce the same product. While
reviewing the firm’s cost data, Ron, a manager, discovered that one of the plants has a higher average
cost than the other plans and suggests closing this plant. Another manager, Jack, notes that the high-
cost plant has high fixed costs but that the marginal cost in this plant is lower than in the other plants.
He says that the high-cost plant should not be shut down but should expand its operations. Who is
right?

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Shifts in Cost Curves
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781337091992
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Economics
ISBN:
9781337106665
Author:
Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Michael R. Ward, Mike Shor
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781337617383
Author:
Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Microeconomics
Microeconomics
Economics
ISBN:
9781337617406
Author:
Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Economics:
Economics:
Economics
ISBN:
9781285859460
Author:
BOYES, William
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Micro Economics For Today
Micro Economics For Today
Economics
ISBN:
9781337613064
Author:
Tucker, Irvin B.
Publisher:
Cengage,