What are the key formulas for understanding microeconomics homework?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding key formulas in microeconomics, particularly related to total cost calculations and their implications at different output levels. Participants are attempting to clarify their understanding of the relationships between total fixed costs, total variable costs, average costs, and how these relate to output quantities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants share their attempts at calculating costs using various formulas and express confusion over discrepancies in total costs at different output levels. There is a focus on manual calculations versus spreadsheet methods, with some questioning the effectiveness of using spreadsheets for this problem.

Discussion Status

Several participants have expressed their struggles with the calculations and the need for clarity on the formulas used. There is a recognition of the importance of showing detailed steps in calculations to facilitate assistance. Some participants have indicated they are working through the problem manually, while others have noted the challenges of using spreadsheets.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the requirement to adhere to a homework template, which may influence how they present their calculations and reasoning. There is also an acknowledgment of differing data types at various output levels complicating the problem-solving process.

Kyle Jones
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https://scontent.fdtw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t35.0-12/12238195_10208423803536754_4071850233616539605_o.jpg?oh=c60d216b6c01a308ff1ace639c0d872f&oe=564A9A62

Here's my attempt at the problem:

https://scontent.fdtw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t35.0-12/12244461_10208423784976290_5465359851278665740_o.jpg?oh=2c1814947a0c437e1ad08150810c4e46&oe=564ADA87

Here are all relevant formulas:

TC = TFC + TVC
AFC = TC - AVC
ATC = (TVC/Q) + TFC/Q
TFC = Q x Price
AVC = (TC/Q) - (AFC /Q)
TVC = (Q x ATC) – (Q x AVC)
 
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Kyle Jones said:
https://scontent.fdtw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t35.0-12/12238195_10208423803536754_4071850233616539605_o.jpg?oh=c60d216b6c01a308ff1ace639c0d872f&oe=564A9A62

Here's my attempt at the problem:

https://scontent.fdtw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t35.0-12/12244461_10208423784976290_5465359851278665740_o.jpg?oh=2c1814947a0c437e1ad08150810c4e46&oe=564ADA87

Here are all relevant formulas:

TC = TFC + TVC
AFC = TC - AVC
ATC = (TVC/Q) + TFC/Q
TFC = Q x Price
AVC = (TC/Q) - (AFC /Q)
TVC = (Q x ATC) – (Q x AVC)

It makes no sense to have the total cost go down from $9.2 at Q = 2 to $6 at Q = 3. You should avoid using a spreadsheet for most of this problem; just write things out manually, so you have control over all the calculations at every step. I think getting a spreadsheet to work properly in this problem would be difficult, because you are given data items of differing natures at different output levels, so the things you need to "solve for" differ at the different output levels.
 
Kyle Jones said:
https://scontent.fdtw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t35.0-12/12238195_10208423803536754_4071850233616539605_o.jpg?oh=c60d216b6c01a308ff1ace639c0d872f&oe=564A9A62

Here's my attempt at the problem:

https://scontent.fdtw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t35.0-12/12244461_10208423784976290_5465359851278665740_o.jpg?oh=2c1814947a0c437e1ad08150810c4e46&oe=564ADA87

Here are all relevant formulas:

TC = TFC + TVC
AFC = TC - AVC
ATC = (TVC/Q) + TFC/Q
TFC = Q x Price
AVC = (TC/Q) - (AFC /Q)
TVC = (Q x ATC) – (Q x AVC)
In future posts, please do not delete the three parts of the homework template. The template is required for homework questions.
 
Ray Vickson said:
It makes no sense to have the total cost go down from $9.2 at Q = 2 to $6 at Q = 3. You should avoid using a spreadsheet for most of this problem; just write things out manually, so you have control over all the calculations at every step. I think getting a spreadsheet to work properly in this problem would be difficult, because you are given data items of differing natures at different output levels, so the things you need to "solve for" differ at the different output levels.

Honestly, I just used excel to make it look easier to read and understand. I've been having problems with tables. I know what your concern is though. I don't want to use formulas for this. I don't understand where my math is wrong. That's what is making this assignment so difficult for me.

I gave it my best effort, but I don't know what numbers I've got wrong.
 
Ray Vickson said:
It makes no sense to have the total cost go down from $9.2 at Q = 2 to $6 at Q = 3. You should avoid using a spreadsheet for most of this problem; just write things out manually, so you have control over all the calculations at every step. I think getting a spreadsheet to work properly in this problem would be difficult, because you are given data items of differing natures at different output levels, so the things you need to "solve for" differ at the different output levels.
Does this work? What's really messing me up is output 3
 

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Kyle Jones said:
Does this work? What's really messing me up is output 3
Showing an image of a spreadsheet is no help to us, as it doesn't show the formula that's being used in each cell.
Ray Vickson said:
You should avoid using a spreadsheet for most of this problem; just write things out manually, so you have control over all the calculations at every step.
I agree completely with what Ray said.
 
I'm not using formulas. I'm just typing them in and solving manually. I'm doing the math "by hand" on a calculator and these are the results I'm getting.

If I knew what formulas to type into begin with I wouldn't be on this website.
 
Kyle Jones said:
I'm not using formulas. I'm just typing them in and solving manually. I'm doing the math "by hand" on a calculator and these are the results I'm getting.

If I knew what formulas to type into begin with I wouldn't be on this website.

You are not helping. We cannot just look at the formulas and tell what you have done; you need to write down the details, step-by-step if you have any hope of getting assistance. For instance, when I do the computations for output = 2 I get something totally different from what you present. You need to show how you obtained your figures, and you should do that for at least 3 or 4 output levels. It does not matter if you present the results in tabular form, as long as they are presented in a clearly-labelled way.
 
Figured it out! All good now. Thank you for assistance!