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EC111-Snyder Test 2
Flash Cards for Snyder's second test
107
Economics
Undergraduate 2
11/22/2009

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Term
Production
Definition
name given to the transformation of factors into goods and service
Term
Supply
Definition
Ultimately people, not firms, are responsible for supply
Term
firm
Definition
is an economic institution that transforms factors of production into good and services
Term
3 things firms do
Definition
1)organizes factors of production and/or
2)produces goods and/or
3)sells produced goods to individuals, businesses or government
Term
Changes in Production
Definition
As cost structures change because of technological advances such as the Internet, and increasing number of firms concentrate on organization rather than production activities
Term
Accounting Profit
Definition
explicit revenue less explicit cost
Term
Economic profit
Definition
Economists include in revenue and costs both explicit and implicit costs and revenues.
Term
implicit cost
Definition
include opportunity costs
Term
total cost
Definition
explicit payments to the factors of production plus the opportunity cost of the factors provided by the owners of the firm
Term
implicit revenues
Definition
include the increase in value of assets
Term
total revenue
Definition
is the amount a firm receives for selling its product or service plus any increase in the value of the assets owned by the firm.
Term
Long run decisions
Definition
firm chooses among all possible production techniques. Has more flexibility with changing inputs
Term
Short run decision
Definition
the firm is constrained in regard to what production decisions it can make. Has less flexiblity
Term
Long run vs Short run
Definition
In long run all inputs are variable-In short run some inputs are fixed.
Term
Production Table
Definition
a table showing the output resulting from various combinations of factors of productions or inputs
Term
marginal product
Definition
the additional output resulting from various combination of factors of production or inputs
Term
average product
Definition
output per worker
Term
production function
Definition
relationship between the inputs(factors of productions) and outputs
Term
Diminishing marginal productivity
Definition
initially this production function exhibits increasing marginal productivity and then eventually decreasing.
Term
Bowed up(Bowed Down)
Definition
increasing marginal productivity(decreasing marginal productivity)
Term
law of diminishing marginal productivity
Definition
as more and more of a variable input is added to an existing fixed input, eventually the additional output one gets from that additional input is going to fall...sometimes called flowerpot law.
Term
Firms operate on production curve
Definition
DMP, falling average product
Term
fixed costs
Definition
costs that are spent and cannot be changed in the period of time under consideration. Sunk Costs
Term
variable costs
Definition
costs that change as output changes. output increases, variable costs increase
Term
o
Definition
Term
Total Cost
Definition
=FC+VC
Term
Average total cost(ATC)
Definition
Total Cost divided by the quantity produced(TC/Q) or (AVC+AFC)
Term
Average fixed Costs(AFC)
Definition
fixed costs divided by quantity produced(FC/Q)
Term
Average Variable Cost
Definition
variable cost divided by quantity produced(VC/Q)
Term
Marginal Cost
Definition
is the increase(decrease) in total cost from increasing(Decreasing) the level of output by one unit. (Delta Cost/Delta Output)
Term
Increasing output..
Definition
increases total cost and increases variable cost
Term
Average and marginal cost curves
Definition
The marginal cost curve goes through the minimum point of the average total cost curve and average variable cost curve; each of these curves is U-shaped. the average fixed cost curve slopes down continuously
Term
Downward sloping shape of AFC curve
Definition
FC(stay same)/Q(increases)=AFC(decrease)
Term
Marginal productivity falls
Average productivity falls
Productivity falls
Definition
Marginal costs rise
Average costs rise
costs rise
Term
low levels of prouction
Definition
production is rising, costs are initially falling
Term
If you increase output enormously what two cost curves would almost meet?
Definition
ATC+AVC
Term
Marginal cost curves always intersect the ATC curve at the minimum of ATC curve because..
Definition
MC>AC=AC Rising MC
Term
When Marginal Cost=Average variable cost
Definition
Average product = Marginal product
Term
MC>ATC, AVC MC=ATC, AVC MC
Definition
ATC, AVC is rising
ATC, AVC is at its low point
ATC, AVC is falling
Term
Technical effeciency
Definition
in production means that as few inputs as possible are used to produce a given output
Term
economically efficient
Definition
method that produces a given level of output at the lowest possible cost
Term
Economies of scale
Definition
when long-run average total costs decrease as output increases... cost per unity of a small production run is higher than cost per unit of a large production run.
Term
indivisible setup cost
Definition
cost of an indivisible input for which a certain minimum amount of production must be undertaken before the input become economically feasibel to use
Term
E
Definition
Term
minimum efficient level of production
Definition
is the amount of production that spreads setup costs out sufficiently for a firm to undertake production profitably. At what point it makes sense to produce
Term
diseconomies of scale
Definition
when long-run average total costs increase as output increases. Start usually as firms get large.
Term
Production relationships have social dimensions
Definition
1)As the size of the firm increases, monitoring costs generally increase.
2)As the size of the firm increases, team spirit or morale generally decreases.
Term
Monitoring Costs
Definition
the costs incurred by the organizer of production in seeing to it that the employees do what they're supposed to do, i.e managers, can increase significantly as output increase, major contributor to diseconomies of scale
Term
Team spirit
Definition
The feelings of friendship and being part o fa team that bring out people's best efforts
Term
Constant returns to scale
Definition
where long-run average total costs do not change with an increase in output
Term
Short run average total cost curve a u shaped curve
Definition
DMP, initial increase and eventual decrease
Term
Long run average total cost curve a u shaped curve
Definition
diseconomies of scale
Term
envelope relationship
Definition
is the relationship between long-run and short-run average total costs. Constraints always raise costs( or at least won't lower them)
Term
entrepreneur
Definition
is an individual who sees an opportunity to sell an item at a price higher than the average cost of producing it. ie. make a profit.
Term
economies of scope
Definition
when the costs of producing products are interdependent so that its less costly for a firm to produce one good when its already producing another. Worth it to produce another product, i.e. snack machines,
Term
Learning by doing
Definition
as we do something, we learn what works and what doesn't, and over time we become more proficient at it.
Term
technological change
Definition
is an increase in the range of production techniques that leads to more efficient ways of producing goods as well as the production of new and better goods. drives costs down and can overwhelm diseconomies of scale, causing prices to fall more and more
Term
technological change and learning by doing
Definition
inticately related, learning and making technological changes
Term
depreciation
Definition
a measure of the decline in value of an asset that occurs over time.
Term
competition
Definition
involves one firm trying to figure out how to take away market share from another firm
Term
perfectly competitive market structure
Definition
the invisible hand operates unimpeded. a market in which economic forces operate unimpeded.
Term
restrictions of perfectly competitive markets
Definition
1)Both buyers and seller are price takers
2)The number of firms is large
3)There are no barriers of entry
4)Firms' products are identical
5)There is complete information.
6)Selling firms are profit-maximizing entrepreneurial firms.
Term
Price taker
Definition
a firm or individual who takes the price determined by market supply and demand as given. In perfectly competitive market supply and demand determine price and firms and consumers take price as given.
Term
Barriers to entry
Definition
social, political, or economic impediments that prevent firms from entering a market. Perfect competition can have no barriers to entry
Term
the number of firms is large
Definition
what one firm does has no influence on what other firms do.
Term
Firms' products are identical
Definition
Output is indistinguishable from any other firm's output.
Term
There is complete information
Definition
No firm or consumer has a competitive advantage over another
Term
selling firms are profit maximizing entrepreneurial firms.
Definition
for perfect competition they must seek maximum profit and only profit.
Term
supply
Definition
a schedule of quantities of goods that will be offered to the market at various prices...supplier is price taker
Term
number of Firms are large
Definition
So that they don't work together to get a higher price
Term
Price in Perfectly competitive markets
Definition
Each firm is so small that its actions does not affect the price it can get for said product
Term
individual demand curve for perfectly competitive markets
Definition
horizontal
Term
market demand curve for perfectly competitive markets
Definition
downward sloping
Term
marginal revenue
Definition
the change in total revenue associated with a change in quantity
Term
marginal cost
Definition
the change in total cost associated with a change in quantity
Term
Market Price in Perfectly competitive market
Definition
equals marginal revenue
Term
Perfectly competitive demand curve
Definition
equals marginal revenue curve
Term
profit maximizing condition
Definition
of a competitive firm MC=MR=P
Term
Marginal cost curve
Definition
is a firms supply curve. MC curve tell the competitive firm how much it should produce at a given price
Term
Total profit
Definition
maximized where the vertical distance between total revenue and total costs is greatest.
Term
shutdown point
Definition
that point below which the firm will be better off if it temporarily shuts down than it will if it stays in business. If p>minimum of AVC then firm with continue to produce. If P
Term
market supply curve
Definition
horizontal sum of all the firms marginal cost curves, taking account of any change sin input prices that might occur
Term
Normal profit
Definition
the amount the owners of business would have received in the next-best alternative
Term
monopoly
Definition
is a market structure in which on firm makes up the entire market, no competitive pressure from other firms. Exist because of barriers to entry. Marginal revenue is not its price, takes into account that output decision can affect price
Term
Monopolist markets
Definition
monopolists, not consumers, benefit because there is no competition and they do whats in their self interest. Perfectly competitive cannot
Term
marginal revenue not equal to price...why?
Definition
increase in output lowers the price on all previous units, a monopolist's marginal revenue is always below its price.
Term
monopolists marginal revenue curve
Definition
downward sloping, starts at same point as demand, but has steeper slope.
Term
monopolists profit maximizing output
Definition
produce the quantity at which MC=MR. if less produce more, if more produce less.
Term
monopolist profit
Definition
subtracting average total cost from average revenue(P) at that level of output and multiplying by the chosen output.
Term
If price...
Definition
> ATC, make a profit
= ATC, not profit, normal return
< ATC, loss
Term
patent
Definition
legal protection of a technical innovation that gives the person holding it sole right to use that innovation
Term
reality for many monopolists
Definition
their costs exceed their revenues, or what people are willing to pay, so they incur a loss
Term
welfare loss
Definition
from a monopoly is a triangle. area from MC=MR to market price.
Term
discriminate
Definition
to charge different prices to different individuals or groups of individuals.
Term
barriers to entry and monopoly
Definition
If there were no barriers to entry, profit-maximizing firms would always compete away monopoly profits.
Term
natural monopoly
Definition
an industry in which a single firm can produce at a lower cos than can two or more firms.
Term
Benefits competition(essay)
Definition
i. Lower prices
ii. More choices
iii. Consumer sovereignty
iv. Unlike corporate giants, competitive firms have little effect on the legislative process
Term
B)What are the drawback of competition(ESSay)
Definition
a. Supplier drawbacks
i. Cannot develop new products as well in the midst of competition
1. Do not have the time and the resources for research and development
ii. Low wages for workers and poor working conditions
1. Low employee morale
b. Consumer drawbacks
i. Simple products
ii. No complexity
Term
C) Benefits of Concentration(Essay)
Definition
a. Supplier benefits
i. Consistent economic profit
ii. Deep pockets, many resources
iii. Stability
iv. Better working conditions for employees
v. Time and resources for research and innovation, better products
1. Better available technology
2. It should be noted that this needs to be continually exercised, as complacency will lead to being overtaken by others with more advanced technology
b. Consumer benefits
i. Complex products
ii. Can raise standard of living
iii. Products will not break down, high quality
iv. Better products a result of research and innovation
Term
D) Drawback of Concentration(Essay)
Definition
a. There are virtually no drawbacks to the producer, only drawbacks to the consumer
i. Price gouging
1. Items are more expensive
ii. Lack of choice
iii. Monopoly
iv. Large firms can work to short-circuit public policy
Term
F) Perfectly Competitive Firms and Price taking behavior(Essay)
Definition
a. Price taking behavior
i. A price taker takes price as determined by market supply and demand
ii. A price taker cannot determine price
b. Perfectly competitive buyers and sellers both exhibit price taking behavior
i. Nobody can determine price
ii. Cannot raise or lower price by a single penny, or else the supplier will be eliminated from the market
iii. There are an infinite number of firms with the same product and price that meet cost
1. In other words, homogenous goods
2. Cannot lower prices to cheat consumers
3. Cannot raise because no one will buy
iv. All involved are only affected by price, they have blinders on
v. Any price change is a price change for every competitor
Term
D) Drawback of Concentration(Essay)
Definition
a. There are virtually no drawbacks to the producer, only drawbacks to the consumer
i. Price gouging
1. Items are more expensive
ii. Lack of choice
iii. Monopoly
iv. Large firms can work to short-circuit public policy
Term
H) Monopolist's and Price taking
Definition
a. Monopolists exhibit price making behavior
i. Key characteristic of a monopolist- output decision affects price
ii. Have the ability to set prices
iii. Because the good is desired and they face no competition, they can charge at a higher premium
Term
I) Graphically show positive cost of monopoly
Definition
a. Loss of consumer surplus
b. Deadweight loss
c. Opportunity cost of diverted resources
Term
I) Graphically show positive cost of monopoly
Definition
a. Loss of consumer surplus
b. Deadweight loss
c. Opportunity cost of diverted resources
Term
I) Graphically show positive cost of monopoly
Definition
a. Loss of consumer surplus
b. Deadweight loss
c. Opportunity cost of diverted resources
Term
J. Normative argument against monopolies- they are unfair!
Definition
a. Monopolies are unjust
b. Consumers are hosed by the high prices that are set at the will of the monopolist
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