2.3 — Cost Minimization — Class Content

Meeting Date

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Upcoming Assignment

Problem Set 3 (on classes 2.1-2.3) is due by 11:59 PM Wednesday March 22 on Blackboard Assignments.

Overview

Today we put our tools together (production functions/isoquants and isocost lines) to solve the firm’s cost minimization problem. Again, we do not solve this constrained optimization problem with calculus, but by looking graphically, and using an algebraic rule that should make intuitive sense.

Again, these tools and rules are almost identical to how we solved the consumer’s problem. Compare \(\frac{MP_l}{MP_k}=\frac{w}{r}\) to \(\frac{MU_x}{MU_y}=\frac{p_x}{p_y}\) or \(\frac{MP_l}{w}=\frac{MP_k}{r}\) to \(\frac{MU_x}{p_x} = \frac{MU_y}{p_y}\)!, with a major exception:

Consumers:

  • choose goods to maximize utility subject to their budget constraint
  • budget constraint (line) is what is fixed
  • get on highest indifference curve tangent to budget constraint

Producers (Firms):

  • choose inputs to minimize cost subject to producing the optimal amount (their constraint)
  • isoquant curve is what is fixed (want to produce a specific amount!)
  • get on lowest isocost line tangent to isoquant curve

We finally wrap up with a discussion of returns to scale.

Readings

  • Ch. 6.4-6.7 in Goolsbee, Levitt, and Syverson, 2019

Optional/Recommended Reading

Appendix

See the online appendix for today’s content:

Assignments

Problem Set 3 Due Wednesday March 22

Problem Set 3 (on classes 2.1-2.3) is due by 11:59 PM Wednesday March 22 on Blackboard Assignments.

Slides

Below, you can find the slides in two formats. Clicking the image will bring you to the html version of the slides in a new tab. The lower button will allow you to download a PDF version of the slides.

Tip

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I suggest printing the slides beforehand and using them to take additional notes in class (not everything is in the slides)!

2.3-slides

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