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Composite Function Rule (Chain Rule)
The composite function rule, more commonly known as the chain rule, is a formula in calculus for computing the derivative of a composite function (a function created by composing two or more other functions). In the context of the work-leisure model, this rule is specifically applied to differentiate the feasible frontier equation in order to calculate the Marginal Rate of Transformation (MRT).
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Introduction to Microeconomics Course
The Economy 2.0 Microeconomics @ CORE Econ
Ch.3 Doing the best you can: Scarcity, wellbeing, and working hours - The Economy 2.0 Microeconomics @ CORE Econ
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Marginal Rate of Substitution (MRS)
Introduction to Mathematical Extensions for Economic Analysis
Variable Slope of a Curve
Marginal Utility
Implicit Differentiation in Economics
Composite Function Rule (Chain Rule)
Delta (Δ) Symbol
A coffee shop is considering staying open for an additional hour, from 4 PM to 5 PM. The table below shows their total revenue and total costs for different hours of operation. Based on an analysis of the change from the 4th to the 5th hour, what is the most logical decision and why?
Hours Open Total Revenue Total Cost 4 $200 $120 5 $240 $150 Production Decision at a Small Firm
Decision on Studying
A software company has invested $5 million in developing a new product. Due to unexpected competition, the projected future revenue from the product has dropped to $3 million. The company estimates it will cost an additional $1 million to complete the product. Based on a rational analysis of incremental changes, the company should abandon the project because the total cost ($6 million) will exceed the total revenue ($3 million).
Marginal vs. Average Analysis in Decision-Making
A rational decision-maker thinks at the margin by comparing the additional benefits and additional costs of a small change. For each scenario below, match it with the correct marginal comparison that should guide the decision.
Rational individuals make decisions at the margin. This means they will choose to take an action only if the additional, or marginal, benefit of the action is at least as great as the marginal ____.
A firm is considering whether to produce one additional unit of a good. Arrange the following steps in the logical order a rational decision-maker would follow when thinking at the margin.
Fertilizer Application Decision
A company's total cost of producing widgets is shown in the table below. What is the marginal cost of producing the 3rd widget?
Quantity of Widgets Total Cost 0 $10 1 $15 2 $22 3 $32 4 $45 Numerical Approximation of a Derivative
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MRT as the Derivative of the Feasible Frontier Function g(t)
An individual's utility
Uis a function of their consumptionc, given by the functionU(c) = 40√c. The individual's consumption is, in turn, dependent on the number of hours they workh, according to the functionc(h) = 100 - 2h. Using the rule for differentiating a composite function, find the marginal utility with respect to hours worked,dU/dh.Analyzing Production Efficiency
Marginal Profit of Labor
A company's total revenue (
R) is a function of the quantity of units sold (q), soR = f(q). The quantity of units sold is, in turn, a function of the price (p), soq = g(p). To find the rate at which revenue changes with respect to price (dR/dp), you must apply the rule for differentiating a function of a function. Arrange the following steps in the correct logical order to perform this calculation.A firm's profit (Π) is a function of the quantity of goods it produces (q), and the quantity produced is a function of the hours of labor employed (L). To find the marginal profit with respect to labor (dΠ/dL), one must calculate the marginal profit with respect to quantity (dΠ/dq) and the marginal product of labor (dq/dL), and then add these two rates of change together.
A firm's profit (Π) is a function of the quantity of goods it sells (q), which in turn is a function of its advertising expenditure (A). To find the overall effect of advertising on profit, one must use the rule for differentiating a composite function. Match each economic concept to its correct mathematical representation.
A factory's total production cost (
C) is determined by the number of units (q) it produces, according to the functionC(q) = 1000 + 10q + 0.1q². The number of units produced is a function of the hours of labor (L) used, given byq(L) = 20L. When 5 hours of labor are used, the marginal cost with respect to labor (the rate at which cost changes for each additional hour of labor) is ____.Strategic Decision-Making for Profit Maximization
A company's daily production output,
Q, is determined by the amount of capital,K, it employs, according to the functionQ(K) = 100√K. The company is expanding, and its capital stock grows over time,t(in months), as described by the functionK(t) = 4 + 2t. What is the rate at which the company's daily output is changing with respect to time whent = 6months?A manufacturing firm's total production cost is a function of the number of units it produces, and the number of units produced is a function of the hours of labor employed. The rate of change of total cost with respect to labor hours can be found using the formula: dC/dL = (dC/dq) * (dq/dL). What is the correct economic interpretation of the
dq/dLterm in this formula?