Refer to the accompanying graph to answer the next question.

The firm is experiencing gains from specialization up to what level of output along the marginal cost curve?

Question

Refer to the accompanying graph to answer the next question.

The firm is experiencing gains from specialization up to what level of output along the marginal cost curve?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Begin by identifying what the question asks: the level of output along the marginal cost (MC) curve up to which the firm experiences gains from specialization.
Option analysis:
- Q2: This is the level indicated on the graph where the benefit from specialization is exhausted; beyond this point, the additional output would require a higher marginal cost that outweighs the gains from further specialization. The dashed vertical line at Q2 marks the boundary where MC starts to rise more steeply and the efficiency benefit of further specialization declines, which aligns with the idea of stopping gains from specialization at that point.
- Q5: This would be a much higher output level. If gains from specialization persisted up to Q5, it would imply continuing efficiency benefits even as MC climbs substantially, which contradicts the usual diminishing returns pattern shown by MC rising steeply after some output. Hence this overestimates the point at which gains end.
- Q3: This is an intermediate level, but the graph’s structure indicates the crossover or the point of diminishing gains occurs earlier than Q3, so choosing Q3 would misidentify the limit of specialization gains.
- Q1: This is an even lower output level, which would imply gains end very early. The graph’s MC and the associated cost curves suggest that some gains from specialization persist beyond the very first unit, so Q1 underestimates the true boundary.
- Q4: This is closer to the higher-output region where MC is already rising sharply; selecting Q4 would imply gains persist well into a range where costs are mounting rapidly, which is inconsistent with the depicted marginal-cost behavior that ends gains earlier at Q2.

In summary, the correct choice corresponds to the point on the MC curve where the additional gains from specialization are exhausted, which the graph marks at Q2. The other options either underestimate or overestimate this boundary by misreading where rising MC limits the benefits of specialization.

Refer to the accompanying graph to answer the next question. The firm is experiencing gains from specialization up to what level of output along the marginal cost curve?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

An assumption of the BECOMP model is:

When the average total cost curve is downward sloping, what must be true about the marginal cost curve?

Part 1In the figure, the marginal cost of the last unit produced by the profit maximizing firm is A. $15. B. $10. C. $5. D. $20. Part 1

A company produces a popular brand of cookies. In the short run, the size of its factory and equipment are fixed, but it can hire more or fewer workers. Suppose the company observes that its marginal product of labor is increasing. What will happen to its marginal cost of production?

When a firm increased its output by one unit, its AC rose from $45 to $50. This implies that its MC after the increase is

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler