There are three types of production
function.
1.Production function with One variable input.
2.Production function with Two variable input.
3.Production function with All variable input.
HOW TO PRODUCE
Production function with One variable input
Law of variable proportion
It is assumed that only one factor of production is
variable while other factors are fixed.
According to prof. Benham:
“As the proportion of one factor in the combination of factors is increased
after a point ,the average and marginal production of that factor will
diminish.”
The condition underlying the law are as follows:
1.Only one factor is varied & all other factor remain
constant.
2.The scale of output remain unchanged & production
plant or the size efficiency remain constant.
3.The technique of the production does not change.
4.All the unit have identical characteristics & equal
efficiency .
Law of diminishing marginal returns
1. Definition:
2. Measurement of product:
•Total product:
TP = F (QVF)
Where TP = total produced .
QVF = Quantity variable factor.
•Average product:
AP = TP/QVF
Marginal product:
MPn = TPn – (TPn-1)
THREE STAGES OF PRODUCTION.
The Total ,Marginal & Average product curve Demonstrate the law of variable proportions
Behavior of TPP,MPP & APP during the three stages of production.
Total physical product. Marginal physical product. Average physical product.
(TPP) (MPP) (APP)
Stage 1.
Increases at an Increases , reaches its max Increases & reaches its
increasing rate. & then decline till MR = AP. max.
Stage2.
Increases at a
Diminishing & becomes = 0 Start diminishing .
diminishing rate till its
reaches max.
Stage3.
Becomes negative . Continues to decline.
Start declining .
Hypothetical production schedule of a firm
Units of variable Total Product(TP) Average Marginal Product(MP)
input(Labour)(n) Product(AP)
1 20 20 20
2 50 25 30
3 90 30 40
4 120 30 30
5 135 27 15
6 144 24 9
7 147 21 3
8 148 18.5 1
9 148 16.5 0
10 145 14.5 -3
Production function with two variable inputs.
Isoquants
Labour & capital inputs in relation to output.
Labour (units) Capital (units) Output (units)
1 5 10
2 3 10
3 2 10
4 1 10
5 0 10
Types of isoquants
1.Linear isoquants.
2.Right angle isoquants.
3.Convex isoquants.
Thank you