The slope of isocost represents:

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To analyze the statement, I’ll look at what the isocost line represents in a typical cost-minimization framework.
Option a: 'a ratio of marginal products of the inputs.' This describes the marginal rate of technical substitution (MRTS) on an isoquant, not the slope of an isocost. The MRTS relates how inputs can be substituted while keeping output constant, whereas the isocost slope reflects cost constraints, so this is not correct for isocost.
Option b: 'a ratio of quantities of the inputs.' The slope is not simply a ratio of input quantities; it is determined by prices, not by how much of each input is being used. Therefore this is incorrect.
Option c: 'a ratio of average products of the inputs.' Average product relates to output per unit input on a production function, but the isocost slope does not depend on average product measures. Hence this choice is not correct for the isocost.
Option d: 'a ratio of prices of the inputs.' Indeed, the isocost line has a slope equal to the negative of the ratio of input prices (usually -w/r). This captures the idea that exchanging one unit of one input for the other costs a fixed amount, determined by their prices. The minus sign reflects the trade-off under a fixed total cost, so this is the correct interpretation for the isocost slope.
Overall, only option d aligns with the standard interpretation of the isocost slope, while options a, b, and c describe other concepts (MRTS, input quantities, and average product) that do not define the isocost slope.

SESS0007_24-25 LSA Test

The slope of isocost represents:

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