Understanding Microeconomics: Principles, Elasticity, and Production Costs
Marginal cost: This is the additional cost incurred by producing one more unit of a good or service. If this is lower than the market price, a firm will tend to increase production, optimizing its profits.Economies of scale: As a firm’s level of production increases, the cost of producing each additional unit might decrease. This situation, where the average cost of production falls as the firm produces more, is what we call “economies of scale”.What is Microeconomics?Microeconomics is a branch of economics that focuses on the behaviors and decisions of individual entities. These entities can be businesses, households, and even individuals. Its primary focus is how these entities interact in markets and make decisions regarding the allocation of limited resources.So, suppose you’ve ever wondered why the price of an iPhone fluctuates or why there’s an endless variety of coffees in the market. In that case, you’re thinking in line with the principles of microeconomics.Principles of MicroeconomicsAn integral part of understanding microeconomics involves delving into its guiding principles. Remember, these are paramount to comprehending the cause and effect relationships in the microeconomic sphere. Let’s explore two primary principles: supply and demand and marginal analysis.Supply and DemandAt the heart of microeconomics lies the principle of supply and demand. It forms the foundation of market economy dynamic where resources allocation is principally guided by individual interests and freedoms. The law of demand states that when the price of a good rises, its quantity demanded will fall and vice versa, all else constant. Conversely, the law of supply dictates that a price increase of a specific product will induce suppliers to increase the quantity supplied and vice versa.This principle plays out daily in our lives. When smartphones hit the technological scene we saw the law of demand and supply in real action. As demand outpaced supply initially, prices soared. However, with advances in technology and increased competition, the supply of smartphones increased leading to a drop in prices.Marginal AnalysisThe second principle of microeconomics that we’re delving into is marginal analysis. This principle revolves around making decisions based on increments. In a business or economic setting, we use Marginal Analysis to compare the additional benefits of an activity to the additional costs incurred. If the marginal benefits exceed the marginal costs, then that particular course of action is a rational option.For instance, a manufacturer may use marginal analysis to decide whether to increase production. They will evaluate whether the extra revenue they’ll gain from selling more products will exceed the extra costs of production. This essential principle brings out the concept that rational decision making involves considering both benefits and costs, not just one or the other.Next, we’re examining how these principles apply to understanding the behavior of individuals and firms.Which of the Following Exemplifies a Microeconomic Question?As we delve deeper into the core of microeconomics, it’s essential to spotlight a few more microeconomic principles – Elasticity and the relationship between Production and Costs. These concepts help us paint a clearer picture of how individuals and firms make decisions in the world of microeconomics.ElasticityElasticity is undoubtedly a key player and a critical principle in microeconomics. It measures the sensitivity of one variable to changes in another variable – in most cases, the responsiveness of demand or supply to changes in price. When we say that demand is elastic, we mean that the quantity demanded reacts significantly to changes in price. On the other hand, if demand is inelastic, quantity demanded doesn’t respond strongly to price changes.To put it simply: Elastic demand – the quantity demanded changes considerably to price changes, and Inelastic demand – the quantity demanded remains relatively unchanged despite price changes.Here’s a fun fact: Goods and services that are necessities or don’t have many substitutes usually have inelastic demand, while luxuries or goods with many substitutes tend to have elastic demand.Production and CostsThis brings us to our next critical concept – Production and Costs. Just as the term suggests, it involves studying firm’s production decisions and the costs related to them. Specifically, it’s about understanding how firms can produce the maximum output given the resources they have, and manage costs efficiently.Two essential points we look at here are:
