A basic assumption of the short run is that a firm:

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Question restatement: A basic assumption of the short run is that a firm:

Option provided: can reduce the number of workers it uses, but it cannot adjust how much capital it uses.

Analysis:
- Interpreting the short-run concept: In microeconomics, the short run is defined as a period during which at least one input is fixed. Typically, capital is fixed (machines, plant, and equipment) while labor is variable. This means firms can adjust the amount of labor they hire or employ, but they cannot freely adjust the level of capital in the short run.
- Evaluating the option's content: The statement says the firm can reduce the number of workers (variable input) and cannot adjust how much capital it uses (capital fixed). This aligns with the standard short-run assumption where labor is variable and capital is fixed. Therefore, the option correctly reflects the basic model of the short run.
- Why this would be considered correct in the short-run framework: The key idea is the fixed nature of capital and the variability of labor. The ability to adjust the workforce while capital remains unchanged is the hallmark of the short-run production environment.
- Potential misconceptions if the option were different: If an option claimed both inputs are variable in the short run, that would contradict the fixed-capital assumption. If an option claimed neither input could be adjusted, that would correspond to a period longer than the short run. If an option claimed only capital could be adjusted, that would also contradict the typical short-run dynamic where capital is the fixed input and labor is the flexible one.
- Summary of reasoning: The statement correctly identifies that in the short run, the firm can vary labor (e.g., reduce or increase workers) but cannot vary capital, which is fixed. This is the core characteristic distinguishing the short run from the long run in production theory.

ECON3200001.1251 Quiz 9: Production Functions

A basic assumption of the short run is that a firm:

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