Learn Before
Choosing Production Technologies
Firm's Goal: Profit Maximization
To make a decision between several efficient production technologies, a core economic assumption is that the firm's primary goal is to maximize its profit. When producing a set quantity of output, this objective is achieved by selecting the technology that minimizes the total cost of production.
0
1
Tags
Social Science
Empirical Science
Science
Economy
CORE Econ
Economics
Introduction to Microeconomics Course
The Economy 2.0 Microeconomics @ CORE Econ
Related
Relative Input Intensity of Technologies
Adoption of a Labor-Saving Technology
Identifying and Eliminating Dominated Technologies
Firm's Goal: Profit Maximization
A firm is evaluating different methods to produce 100 units of a product. The table below shows the required inputs for four different technologies. Based on the principle of eliminating clearly inferior options, which technology is 'dominated' and would therefore not be chosen by the firm?
Optimizing Production at a Steel Plant
Identifying Efficient Production Methods
A firm is analyzing five potential technologies to produce a specific quantity of goods. The required inputs for each technology are shown in the table below.
Technology Number of Workers Tonnes of Coal A 1 6 B 4 2 C 3 7 D 5 5 E 10 1 Which of the following statements provides an accurate analysis of the relationships between these technologies based on the principle of eliminating clearly inferior options?
A manufacturing firm is evaluating four different technologies to produce a standard widget. The table below shows the required inputs (Labor hours and Machine hours) for each. Match each technology on the left with its correct description on the right based on the principle of eliminating clearly inferior options.
Technology Labor Hours Machine Hours A 3 7 B 4 8 C 6 4 D 3 9 A textile factory is considering two different weaving looms to produce 100 meters of fabric. Loom A requires 2 operators and 8 kWh of electricity. Loom B requires 3 operators and 7 kWh of electricity. Evaluate the following statement: 'Based on the principle of eliminating clearly inferior production methods, Loom A is a 'dominated' technology compared to Loom B.'
Advising a New Bakery on Production Efficiency
Filtering Production Options
When a firm evaluates different production methods, it will not choose a technology that is considered ________, because an alternative method exists that can produce the same amount of output using a smaller quantity of at least one input without using more of any other inputs.
A manager at a manufacturing plant needs to choose the most efficient way to produce 500 widgets. Several production technologies are available, each with different labor and energy requirements. Arrange the following steps in the logical order the manager should follow to first eliminate any clearly inferior options before making a final decision.
Learn After
Choosing a Technology Based on Relative Input Prices
A firm's objective is to produce 100 widgets at the highest possible profit. It has identified four potential production methods, each requiring different amounts of labor and raw materials to produce the same 100 widgets, as shown in the table below. Assuming both labor and raw materials have a positive cost, which production method would the firm never choose, regardless of the specific costs of labor and materials?
Method Units of Labor Tons of Raw Material A 6 3 B 4 5 C 5 6 D 3 7 A company's goal is to maximize its profit. It needs to produce 500 units of a product per week. The weekly wage for a worker is 1,000. The company has identified four different production technologies that can each produce the required 500 units. Based on the information in the table, which technology should the company choose to achieve its goal?
Technology Number of Workers Number of Machines A 20 5 B 10 8 C 30 2 D 15 6 Evaluating a Production Technology Decision
Profit Maximization and Cost Minimization
Evaluating a Production Technology Decision
A firm seeking to maximize its profit for a specific quantity of output will always select the production technology that requires the smallest quantity of the most expensive input.
Impact of Input Price Changes on Technology Choice
Evaluating a Business Decision for Profit Maximization
A manufacturing firm wants to produce a specific quantity of goods and has narrowed its options to two efficient production technologies.
- Technology X uses 15 units of labor and 4 units of capital.
- Technology Y uses 10 units of labor and 7 units of capital.
To maximize its profit for this output level, the firm must choose the technology with the lower total cost. Under what condition should the firm choose Technology Y?
Critiquing a Production Decision