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variable cost initially decreases, for the same reason that marginal cost initially decreases. But<br />

with the third birdhouse the law of diminishing marginal returns sets in and the marginal cost<br />

begins to increase. The increase in marginal cost means that the average variable cost also<br />

increases.<br />

The average total cost is the sum of the average fixed cost and the average variable cost. The<br />

average total cost initially decreases, mainly due to the rapid decrease in average fixed cost.<br />

Eventually, the effect of diminishing marginal returns causes average variable cost to increase<br />

more rapidly than average fixed cost is decreasing. This causes average total cost to increase<br />

from the fifth unit onward.<br />

The marginal cost, average fixed cost, average variable cost, and average total cost curves are<br />

illustrated on the graph below. Notice from the graph that the marginal cost curve eventually<br />

slopes upward (from unit two onward). This is because, as discussed earlier, diminishing<br />

marginal returns causes increasing marginal cost.<br />

Also, notice that the marginal cost curve intersects the ATC curve and the AVC curve at their<br />

minimum points. This will always be the case. Marginal cost is the change in total cost (and<br />

variable cost) that results from producing an additional unit of output. If the marginal cost of the<br />

additional output is less than the ATC (or the AVC), the ATC (or the AVC) will decrease. If the<br />

marginal cost is greater than the ATC (or the AVC), the ATC (or the AVC) will increase.<br />

$170 -<br />

160 -<br />

MC<br />

150 -<br />

140 -<br />

130 -<br />

120 -<br />

110 -<br />

100 -<br />

Costs 90 -<br />

80 -<br />

70 -<br />

60 -<br />

50 -<br />

40 -<br />

30 -<br />

20 -<br />

10 -<br />

0 <br />

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8<br />

Quantity of Birdhouses<br />

FOR REVIEW ONLY - NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION<br />

ATC<br />

AVC<br />

AFC<br />

20 - 5 Production and Costs

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