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1. The reason economists assume that firms try to maximize economic profit is that:
a. firms that don't earn profits will, over time, have difficulty securing financing to survive.
b. firms in the real world always maximize profit.
c. profit is easier to calculate than revenue.
d. if a firm fails to earn a profit in its first year, it will go out of business.
e. profit maximization is easier for firms than revenue maximization.
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. Firms try to earn a profit by transforming resources into salable products.
Over time, only profitable firms survive in the market. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. Firms try to earn a profit by transforming resources into salable
products. Over time, only profitable firms survive in the market. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
c. Incorrect. Firms try to earn a profit by transforming resources into salable
products. Over time, only profitable firms survive in the market. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
d. Incorrect. Firms try to earn a profit by transforming resources into salable
products. Over time, only profitable firms survive in the market. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
e. Incorrect. Firms try to earn a profit by transforming resources into salable
products. Over time, only profitable firms survive in the market. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
5. Cash payments for steel to be used in the production process would be an example of _____.
a. sunk costs
b. fixed costs
c. explicit costs
d. implicit costs
e. entrepreneurial costs
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. Implicit costs are the
opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or provided by the firm’s
owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. Implicit costs are the
opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or provided by the firm’s
owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Correct. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources: wages,
rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. Implicit costs are the opportunity
costs of using resources owned by the firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See
7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. Implicit costs are the
opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or provided by the firm’s
owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. Implicit costs are the
opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or provided by the firm’s
owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
6. A firm's opportunity costs of using resources provided by the firm's owners are called _____.
a. sunk costs
b. fixed costs
c. explicit costs
d. implicit costs
e. entrepreneurial costs
ANSWER: d
11. John moved his office from a building he was renting downtown to the carriage house he owns behind his house.
Which of the following statements shows how his costs change?
a. Both his explicit and implicit costs will rise.
b. His explicit costs will rise, while his implicit costs will fall.
c. Both his explicit and implicit costs will fall.
d. His explicit costs fall, while his implicit costs will rise.
e. His explicit costs will rise, while his implicit costs will remain the same.
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Explicit costs are actual cash payments for resources, while implicit
costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by a firm. See 7-1: Cost
and Profit
b. Incorrect. Explicit costs are actual cash payments for resources, while implicit
costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by a firm. See 7-1: Cost
and Profit
c. Incorrect. Explicit costs are actual cash payments for resources, while implicit
costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by a firm. See 7-1: Cost
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 6
and Profit
d. Correct. Explicit costs are actual cash payments for resources, while implicit costs
are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by a firm. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
e. Incorrect. Explicit costs are actual cash payments for resources, while implicit
costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by a firm. See 7-1: Cost
and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
12. A young chef is considering opening his own sushi bar. To do so, he would have to quit his current job, which pays
$20,000 a year, and take over a building that he owns and currently rents to his brother for $6,000 a year. His expenses at
the sushi bar would be $50,000 for food and $2,000 for gas and electricity. The chef’s explicit costs are equal to_____.
a. $26,000
b. $66,000
c. $78,000
d. $52,000
e. $72,000
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Correct. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources: wages,
rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
13. A young chef is considering opening his own sushi bar. To do so, he would have to quit his current job, which pays
$20,000 a year, and take over a storage building that he owns and currently rents to his brother for $6,000 a year. His
expenses at the sushi bar would be $50,000 for food and $2,000 for gas and electricity. The chef’s implicit costs are equal
to _____.
a. $26,000
b. $66,000
c. $78,000
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 7
d. $52,000
e. $72,000
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the
firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the
firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the
firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the
firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the
firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
14. Two friends, Diane and Sam, own and run a bar. Diane tends bar on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and receives a
wage in addition to tips. Sam tends bar on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and receives only tips. Which of the
following represents an implicit cost of operating the bar?
a. Diane's wages
b. Sam's time
c. Diane's tips
d. Sam's tips
e. Both Diane's and Sam's tips
ANSWER: b
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the
firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Correct. Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the
firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the
firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the
firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the
firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
15. Maryann and Don want to open their own deli. To do so, Maryann must give up her job, where she earns $20,000 per
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 8
year, and Don must give up his part-time job, where he earns $10,000 per year. They must liquidate their money market
fund, which earns $1,000 interest annually. The rent on the building is $10,000 per year, and the expenses of such
necessities as utilities, corned beef, and pickles are $35,000 annually. _____ is the explicit cost per year of operating the
deli.
a. $10,000
b. $35,000
c. $45,000
d. $31,000
e. $76,000
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Correct. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources: wages,
rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
16. Amanda, age 6, opens a lemonade stand. She makes all the lemonade from a mix she found in her parents' pantry. Her
stand is an old box she found in the garage. The pitcher and paper cups were taken from the kitchen. Which of the
following is true?
a. The opportunity cost of the lemonade is zero.
b. The only opportunity cost of the lemonade is Amanda's time.
c. Amanda's explicit costs are zero.
d. The implicit costs of Amanda's lemonade are zero.
e. Whatever revenue Amanda gets will be pure economic profit.
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. Implicit costs are the
opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or provided by the firm’s
owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. Implicit costs are the
opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or provided by the firm’s
owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Correct. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources: wages,
rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. Implicit costs are the opportunity
costs of using resources owned by the firm or provided by the firm’s owners. See
7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 9
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. Implicit costs are the
opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or provided by the firm’s
owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. A firm’s explicit costs are its actual cash payments for resources:
wages, rent, interest, insurance, taxes, and the like. Implicit costs are the
opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or provided by the firm’s
owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
17. Which of the following would not appear on a firm's accounting statement?
a. Sunk costs
b. Fixed costs
c. Explicit costs
d. Implicit costs
e. Insurance costs
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Implicit costs require no cash payment and no entry in the firm’s
accounting statement. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. Implicit costs require no cash payment and no entry in the firm’s
accounting statement. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. Implicit costs require no cash payment and no entry in the firm’s
accounting statement. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Correct. Implicit costs require no cash payment and no entry in the firm’s
accounting statement. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. Implicit costs require no cash payment and no entry in the firm’s
accounting statement. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
19. The difference between a firm's total revenue and what must be paid to attract resources from their best alternative use
is called _____.
a. total revenue
b. utility
c. economic profit
d. cost
e. production efficiency
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Correct. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
24. Maryann and Don want to open their own deli. To do so, Maryann must give up her job, where she earns $20,000 per
year, and Don must give up his part-time job, where he earns $10,000 per year. They must liquidate their money market
fund, which earns $1,000 interest annually. The rent on the building is $10,000 per year, and the expenses of such
necessities as utilities, corned beef, and pickles are $35,000 annually. The minimum amount of revenue per year that
would make it worthwhile, financially, for Maryann and Don to run the deli is _____.
a. $10,000
b. $35,000
c. $45,000
d. $31,000
e. $76,000
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. To make running the deli worthwhile, the deli has to cover its explicit
and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. To make running the deli worthwhile, the deli has to cover its explicit
and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. To make running the deli worthwhile, the deli has to cover its explicit
and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. To make running the deli worthwhile, the deli has to cover its explicit
and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Correct. To make running the deli worthwhile, the deli has to cover its explicit and
implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
25. Suppose Ernie gives up his job as financial advisor for P.E.T.S., where he earned $30,000 per year, to open up a store
selling pet-care products. He invested $10,000 in the store, which were originally savings that earned 5 percent interest.
This year, the revenue from the new business was $50,000 and the explicit costs were $10,000. The accounting profit
earned by Ernie was _____.
a. $10,000
b. $50,000
c. $20,000
d. $40,000
e. $9,500
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Accounting profit equals total revenue minus explicit costs. See 7-1:
Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. Accounting profit equals total revenue minus explicit costs. See 7-1:
Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. Accounting profit equals total revenue minus explicit costs. See 7-1:
Cost and Profit
d. Correct. Accounting profit equals total revenue minus explicit costs. See 7-1: Cost
and Profit
26. Suppose Ernie gives up his job as financial advisor for P.E.T.S., where he earned $30,000 per year, to open up a store
selling pet-care products. He invested $10,000 in the store, which were originally savings that earned 5 percent interest.
This year, the revenue from the new business was $50,000 and the explicit costs were $10,000. The economic profit
earned by Ernie was _____.
a. $10,000
b. $50,000
c. $20,000
d. $40,000
e. $9,500
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Correct. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
31. Suppose Ben buys out Jerry's ownership in a firm but retains him as a salaried employee. Jerry gets a salary equal to
the value of the share that he held in the firm. In this case, which of the following statements is true?
a. The firm’s economic profit increases.
b. The firm’s economic profit decreases.
c. There is no change in the economic profit of the firm.
d. There is no change in the accounting profit of the firm.
33. Suppose a soccer coach has been making $25,000 per year but gives up his coaching job in order to make soccer
shoes. If his revenue from the sale of these shoes is $50,000 and his materials cost $20,000, then his economic profit is
equal to _____.
a. $5,000
b. $25,000
c. $30,000
d. $50,000
e. $80,000
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
34. Suppose Bob leaves his $50,000-a-year job as a financial advisor to P.E.T.S. and starts his own business selling pet-
care products. In the first year, his accounting profit is $70,000. Based on this level of success, Bob should:
a. return to his old job because his economic profit is negative.
b. return to his old job because his economic profit is smaller than his accounting profit.
c. return to his old job because his economic profit is less than his old salary.
d. stay with his new firm because his economic profit is positive.
e. stay with his new firm because accounting profit is positive.
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. A firm can continue producing as long as its economic profit is positive.
Economic profit can be calculated as accounting profit minus implicit costs. See
7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. A firm can continue producing as long as its economic profit is positive.
Economic profit can be calculated as accounting profit minus implicit costs. See
7-1: Cost and Profit
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 19
c. Incorrect. A firm can continue producing as long as its economic profit is positive.
Economic profit can be calculated as accounting profit minus implicit costs. See
7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Correct. A firm can continue producing as long as its economic profit is positive.
Economic profit can be calculated as accounting profit minus implicit costs. See
7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. A firm can continue producing as long as its economic profit is positive.
Economic profit can be calculated as accounting profit minus implicit costs. See
7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
35. Suppose a lawyer leaves his $50,000-a-year job and starts his own firm breeding pit bulls. In the first year, his
accounting profit is $70,000. The lawyer finances his new business with $100,000 from his savings account, which had
earned 10 percent interest. From his new business, the lawyer earns an economic profit of _____.
a. $10,000
b. $60,000
c. $70,000
d. −$80,000
e. −$90,000
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. Economic profit can also be calculated as accounting profit minus implicit
costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. Economic profit can also be calculated as accounting profit minus implicit
costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. Economic profit can also be calculated as accounting profit minus implicit
costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. Economic profit can also be calculated as accounting profit minus implicit
costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. Economic profit can also be calculated as accounting profit minus implicit
costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
36. If a pizza joint earns only a normal profit this year, its:
39. Suppose Joan uses her savings to purchase computer equipment for her new consulting business. Soon after this, the
market interest rate rises. As a result, her:
a. explicit costs rise immediately.
b. accounting profit falls immediately.
c. accounting profit rises immediately.
d. economic profit rises immediately.
e. economic profit falls immediately.
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Forgone interest is an implicit cost; these are taken into account when
calculating economic profit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. Forgone interest is an implicit cost; these are taken into account when
calculating economic profit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. Forgone interest is an implicit cost; these are taken into account when
calculating economic profit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. Forgone interest is an implicit cost; these are taken into account when
calculating economic profit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Correct. Forgone interest is an implicit cost; these are taken into account when
calculating economic profit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 22
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
40. John moved his office from a building he was renting downtown to the carriage house he owns behind his house. How
will his profit change?
a. Implicit costs will fall.
b. Explicit costs will remain unchanged, while implicit costs will rise.
c. Economic profit will fall.
d. Explicit costs will rise.
e. Accounting profit will rise.
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Rent is an explicit cost, whereas using the owner’s resource is an
implicit cost. Accounting profit takes into account only the explicit costs, whereas
economic profit takes into account explicit and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
b. Incorrect. Rent is an explicit cost, whereas using the owner’s resource is an
implicit cost. Accounting profit takes into account only the explicit costs, whereas
economic profit takes into account explicit and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
c. Incorrect. Rent is an explicit cost, whereas using the owner’s resource is an
implicit cost. Accounting profit takes into account only the explicit costs, whereas
economic profit takes into account explicit and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
d. Incorrect. Rent is an explicit cost, whereas using the owner’s resource is an
implicit cost. Accounting profit takes into account only the explicit costs, whereas
economic profit takes into account explicit and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
e. Correct. Rent is an explicit cost, whereas using the owner’s resource is an implicit
cost. Accounting profit takes into account only the explicit costs, whereas
economic profit takes into account explicit and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
41. Table 7.1 shows revenue and cost information for Sally’s small business. Sally owns a small business that she operates
in a building she owns. Given the information in the table below, Sally's accounting profit is equal to _____.
Table 7.1
Total Revenue $100,000
42. Table 7.1 shows revenue and cost information for Sally’s small business. Sally owns a small business that she operates
in a building she owns. Given the information in the table below, Sally's economic profit is equal to _____.
a. $80,000
b. $50,000
c. $65,000
d. $35,000
e. $24,000
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Correct. Economic profit equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 24
explicit. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
43. A young chef is considering opening his own sushi bar. To do so, he would have to quit his current job, which pays
$20,000 a year, and take over a storage building he owns and currently rents for $6,000 a year. His expenses at the sushi
bar would be $50,000 for food and $2,000 for gas and electricity. _____ is the minimum revenue he must earn per year in
order for it to be worth his while to open his sushi bar.
a. $26,000
b. $66,000
c. $78,000
d. $52,000
e. $72,000
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. To make opening the sushi bar worthwhile, the sushi bar has to cover
its explicit and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
b. Incorrect. To make opening the sushi bar worthwhile, the sushi bar has to cover
its explicit and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
c. Correct. To make opening the sushi bar worthwhile, the sushi bar has to cover its
explicit and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
d. Incorrect. To make opening the sushi bar worthwhile, the sushi bar has to cover
its explicit and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
e. Incorrect. To make opening the sushi bar worthwhile, the sushi bar has to cover
its explicit and implicit costs. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
44. Inputs that can be increased or decreased in the short run are called _____.
a. fixed inputs
b. variable inputs
c. economic inputs
d. accounting inputs
e. normal inputs
ANSWER: b
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Any resource that can be varied in the short run to increase or
decrease production is called a variable input. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
b. Correct. Any resource that can be varied in the short run to increase or decrease
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 25
production is called a variable input. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. Any resource that can be varied in the short run to increase or
decrease production is called a variable input. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
d. Incorrect. Any resource that can be varied in the short run to increase or
decrease production is called a variable input. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
e. Incorrect. Any resource that can be varied in the short run to increase or
decrease production is called a variable input. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
46. Which of the following is most likely to be a fixed resource for a word processing firm?
a. A laptop
b. A worker
c. The building
d. A month’s electricity bill
e. A bundle of paper
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 26
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Fixed resources cannot be varied in the short run. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. Fixed resources cannot be varied in the short run. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
c. Correct. Fixed resources cannot be varied in the short run. See 7-2: Production in
the Short Run
d. Incorrect. Fixed resources cannot be varied in the short run. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. Fixed resources cannot be varied in the short run. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
47. Which of the following probably has the shortest long run?
a. A law firm
b. A steel mill
c. An automobile plant
d. A tire factory
e. An aircraft engine factory
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. All resources can be varied in the long run. In the long run, firms can
change their scale of operations. This can imply renting an additional office for the
law firm, building an additional factory for the steel mill, the automobile plant, tire
factory, and aircraft engine factory. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. All resources can be varied in the long run. In the long run, firms can
change their scale of operations. This can imply renting an additional office for the
law firm, building an additional factory for the steel mill, the automobile plant, tire
factory, and aircraft engine factory. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. All resources can be varied in the long run. In the long run, firms can
change their scale of operations. This can imply renting an additional office for the
law firm, building an additional factory for the steel mill, the automobile plant, tire
factory, and aircraft engine factory. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. All resources can be varied in the long run. In the long run, firms can
change their scale of operations. This can imply renting an additional office for the
law firm, building an additional factory for the steel mill, the automobile plant, tire
factory, and aircraft engine factory. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. All resources can be varied in the long run. In the long run, firms can
change their scale of operations. This can imply renting an additional office for the
law firm, building an additional factory for the steel mill, the automobile plant, tire
factory, and aircraft engine factory. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 27
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
48. Which of the following would most likely reach the long run most rapidly?
a. A nuclear power plant
b. A college
c. A lumber mill
d. A shopping mall
e. A hot dog stand
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. All resources can be varied in the long run. In the long run, firms can
change their scale of operations. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. All resources can be varied in the long run. In the long run, firms can
change their scale of operations. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. All resources can be varied in the long run. In the long run, firms can
change their scale of operations. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. All resources can be varied in the long run. In the long run, firms can
change their scale of operations. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
e. Correct. All resources can be varied in the long run. In the long run, firms can
change their scale of operations. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
51. The additional output obtained by adding another unit of labor to the production process is called _____.
a. the marginal cost of labor
b. the average output of labor
c. a variable cost
d. the marginal product of labor
e. the marginal utility of labor
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 29
d. Correct. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
53. Table 7.2 shows labor and the quantity of shoes produced by a firm. Given the information in the table below, _____
is the marginal product of the third unit of labor.
Table 7.2
a. 45 pairs of shoes
b. 25 pairs of shoes
c. 15 pairs of shoes
d. 75 pairs of shoes
e. 50 pairs of shoes
ANSWER: b
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
b. Correct. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
54. Table 7.2 shows labor and the quantity of shoes produced by a firm. Given the information in the table below, _____
is the average product of the third unit of labor.
Table 7.2
Total product
Labor (pairs of shoes)
0 0
1 20
2 50
3 75
4 80
5 75
a. 45 pairs of shoes
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 31
b. 25 pairs of shoes
c. 15 pairs of shoes
d. 10 pairs of shoes
e. 75 pairs of shoes
ANSWER: b
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Average product of a given unit of a resource is the total product
divided by the number of units of the resource. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
b. Correct. Average product of a given unit of a resource is the total product divided
by the number of units of the resource. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. Average product of a given unit of a resource is the total product
divided by the number of units of the resource. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
d. Incorrect. Average product of a given unit of a resource is the total product
divided by the number of units of the resource. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
e. Incorrect. Average product of a given unit of a resource is the total product
divided by the number of units of the resource. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
55. Table 7.2 shows labor and the quantity of shoes produced by a firm. Given the information in the table below, _____
is the marginal product of the fourth unit of labor.
Table 7.2
Total product
Labor (pairs of shoes)
0 0
1 20
2 50
3 75
4 80
5 75
a. 5 pairs of shoes
b. 10 pairs of shoes
c. 20 pairs of shoes
d. 50 pairs of shoes
e. 80 pairs of shoes
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 32
in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. Marginal product is the change in total product when a particular
resource increases by one unit, all other resources constant. See 7-2: Production
in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
56. Table 7.2 shows labor and the quantity of shoes produced by a firm. Given the information in the table below, _____
is the average product of the fourth unit of labor?
Table 7.2
Total product
Labor (pairs of shoes)
0 0
1 20
2 50
3 75
4 80
5 75
a. 5 pairs of shoes
b. 10 pairs of shoes
c. 20 pairs of shoes
d. 50 pairs of shoes
e. 80 pairs of shoes
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Average product of a given unit of a resource is the total product
divided by the number of units of the resource. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
b. Incorrect. Average product of a given unit of a resource is the total product
divided by the number of units of the resource. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
c. Correct. Average product of a given unit of a resource is the total product divided
by the number of units of the resource. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. Average product of a given unit of a resource is the total product
divided by the number of units of the resource. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
e. Incorrect. Average product of a given unit of a resource is the total product
divided by the number of units of the resource. See 7-2: Production in the Short
Run
57. Table 7.2 shows labor and the quantity of shoes produced by a firm. Given the information in the table below, at
which point do diminishing marginal returns set in?
Table 7.2
Total product
Labor (pairs of shoes)
0 0
1 20
2 50
3 75
4 80
5 75
Table 7.2
Total product
Labor (pairs of shoes)
0 0
1 20
2 50
3 75
4 80
5 75
60. If a firm is experiencing diminishing marginal returns to labor, then which of the following statements is true?
a. The first workers the firm hired were better than the workers hired later on.
b. The firm is experiencing decreasing returns to scale.
c. The positive effect of specialization in production is being offset by the negative effect of crowding of inputs.
d. Output is decreasing with increasing inputs.
e. The firm should buy more non-labor inputs.
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. After a certain level of output, the positive effect of specialization in
production is offset by the negative effect of crowding of inputs. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. After a certain level of output, the positive effect of specialization in
production is offset by the negative effect of crowding of inputs. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
c. Correct. After a certain level of output, the positive effect of specialization in
production is offset by the negative effect of crowding of inputs. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. After a certain level of output, the positive effect of specialization in
production is offset by the negative effect of crowding of inputs. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. After a certain level of output, the positive effect of specialization in
production is offset by the negative effect of crowding of inputs. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
61. Table 7.3 shows the number of workers and total output produced in a firm. In the table below, the total product of
four workers is _____.
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 36
Table 7.3
Number Total
of workers output
0 0
1 10
2 40
3 100
4 140
5 160
6 170
7 150
a. 0
b. 10
c. 20
d. 140/4
e. 140
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. A firm’s total output is equal to its total product. See 7-2: Production in
the Short Run
b. Incorrect. A firm’s total output is equal to its total product. See 7-2: Production in
the Short Run
c. Incorrect. A firm’s total output is equal to its total product. See 7-2: Production in
the Short Run
d. Incorrect. A firm’s total output is equal to its total product. See 7-2: Production in
the Short Run
e. Correct. A firm’s total output is equal to its total product. See 7-2: Production in
the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
62. Table 7.3 shows the number of workers and total output produced in a firm. In the table below, the marginal product
of the third worker is _____.
Table 7.3
Number Total
of workers output
0 0
1 10
2 40
3 100
4 140
5 160
6 170
7 150
63. Table 7.3 shows the number of workers and total output produced in a firm. In the table below, diminishing marginal
returns set in with the addition of the _____.
Table 7.3
Number Total
of workers output
0 0
1 10
2 40
3 100
4 140
5 160
6 170
7 150
a. first worker
b. third worker
c. fourth worker
d. fifth worker
e. seventh worker
ANSWER: c
65. Table 7.4 shows labor, total product, and marginal product for a firm. In the table below, marginal returns increase
with the hiring of up to _____ workers.
Table 7.4
Units of Total Marginal
Labor product product
0 0 -
1 6 6
2 14 8
3 24 10
4 36 12
5 42 6
6 46 4
a. six
b. two
c. five
d. four
e. three
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. A firm exhibits increasing marginal returns as long as the marginal
product is positive and increasing. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. A firm exhibits increasing marginal returns as long as the marginal
product is positive and increasing. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. A firm exhibits increasing marginal returns as long as the marginal
product is positive and increasing. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
d. Correct. A firm exhibits increasing marginal returns as long as the marginal
product is positive and increasing. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. A firm exhibits increasing marginal returns as long as the marginal
product is positive and increasing. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
66. Table 7.4 shows labor, total product, and marginal product for a firm. In the table below, marginal returns begin to
diminish with the hiring of the _____ worker.
Table 7.4
Units of Total Marginal
Labor product product
0 0 -
1 6 6
2 14 8
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 40
3 24 10
4 36 12
5 42 6
6 46 4
a. second
b. third
c. fourth
d. fifth
e. sixth
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The law of diminishing marginal returns states that as more of a
variable resource is combined with a given amount of other resources, marginal
product eventually declines. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. The law of diminishing marginal returns states that as more of a
variable resource is combined with a given amount of other resources, marginal
product eventually declines. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. The law of diminishing marginal returns states that as more of a
variable resource is combined with a given amount of other resources, marginal
product eventually declines. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
d. Correct. The law of diminishing marginal returns states that as more of a variable
resource is combined with a given amount of other resources, marginal product
eventually declines. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. The law of diminishing marginal returns states that as more of a
variable resource is combined with a given amount of other resources, marginal
product eventually declines. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
67. When diminishing marginal returns set in, total product _____.
a. is negative
b. decreases at an increasing rate
c. decreases at a decreasing rate
d. increases at an increasing rate
e. increases at a decreasing rate
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is positive
and increasing and total product increases at a decreasing rate. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is positive
and increasing and total product increases at a decreasing rate. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is positive
and increasing and total product increases at a decreasing rate. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is positive
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 41
and increasing and total product increases at a decreasing rate. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
e. Correct. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is positive
and increasing and total product increases at a decreasing rate. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
68. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is _____.
a. positive and increasing
b. positive and decreasing
c. negative and increasing
d. negative and decreasing
e. zero
ANSWER: b
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is positive
and decreasing and total product is increasing at a diminishing rate. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
b. Correct. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is positive
and decreasing and total product is increasing at a diminishing rate. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is positive
and decreasing and total product is increasing at a diminishing rate. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is positive
and decreasing and total product is increasing at a diminishing rate. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product is positive
and decreasing and total product is increasing at a diminishing rate. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
70. At the point where diminishing marginal returns set in, the slope of the total product curve is _____.
a. positive and increasing
b. positive and decreasing
c. negative and increasing
d. negative and decreasing
e. constant
ANSWER: b
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. At the point where diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product
is positive and decreasing, total product is increasing at a diminishing rate, and
the slope of the total product curve is positive and decreasing. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
b. Correct. At the point where diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product
is positive and decreasing, total product is increasing at a diminishing rate, and
the slope of the total product curve is positive and decreasing. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. At the point where diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product
is positive and decreasing, total product is increasing at a diminishing rate, and
the slope of the total product curve is positive and decreasing. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. At the point where diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product
is positive and decreasing, total product is increasing at a diminishing rate, and
the slope of the total product curve is positive and decreasing. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. At the point where diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal product
is positive and decreasing, total product is increasing at a diminishing rate, and
the slope of the total product curve is positive and decreasing. See 7-2:
Production in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 43
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
76. Marginal cost eventually increases as output increases due to the effect of _____.
a. economies of scale
b. increasing average cost
c. increasing total cost
d. diminishing marginal product of inputs
e. constant fixed cost
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource; increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
b. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource; increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
c. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource; increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
d. Correct. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource; increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
e. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource; increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
78. Which of the following is true of marginal cost when marginal returns are increasing?
a. It is negative and increasing.
b. It is negative and decreasing.
c. It is positive and increasing.
d. It is positive and decreasing.
e. It is positive and has a constant slope.
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
b. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
c. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
d. Correct. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
e. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
79. What is true of marginal cost when marginal returns are decreasing?
80. Which of the following is true of the relationship between marginal cost and marginal product?
a. Marginal product and marginal cost are not related with each other.
b. When marginal product increases, marginal cost increases.
c. When marginal product increases, marginal cost falls.
d. When marginal product is negative, marginal cost is negative.
e. When diminishing marginal returns set in, marginal cost falls.
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
b. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
c. Correct. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 49
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
d. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
e. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
81. When a firm is experiencing diminishing marginal returns, its marginal cost _____.
a. rises
b. falls
c. remains constant
d. first rises and then falls
e. becomes zero
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
b. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
c. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
d. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
e. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
a variable resource: increasing marginal product decreases marginal cost, while
diminishing marginal product increases marginal cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 50
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
84. If variable cost rises from $60 to $100 as output increases from 15 to 20 units, the marginal cost of the twentieth unit
is _____.
a. $100
b. $5
c. $40
d. $8
e. $58
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The marginal cost of producing one more unit is calculated as the
change in total cost divided by the change in output. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
b. Incorrect. The marginal cost of producing one more unit is calculated as the
change in total cost divided by the change in output. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
c. Incorrect. The marginal cost of producing one more unit is calculated as the
change in total cost divided by the change in output. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
d. Correct. The marginal cost of producing one more unit is calculated as the
change in total cost divided by the change in output. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
e. Incorrect. The marginal cost of producing one more unit is calculated as the
change in total cost divided by the change in output. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
86. If labor is a firm's only variable input, marginal cost ultimately depends on:
a. the fixed cost of labor.
b. how much profit is made.
c. the price of the good produced.
d. how much output each worker produces.
e. the fixed cost per unit.
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
the variable resource. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
the variable resource. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
the variable resource. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
d. Correct. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
the variable resource. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. Changes in marginal cost reflect changes in the marginal productivity of
the variable resource. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
87. Total fixed cost divided by the level of output yields the _____.
a. average variable cost per unit
b. average fixed cost per unit
c. marginal cost per unit
90. If a firm shuts down in the short run and produces no output, its total cost will be:
a. equal to zero.
b. equal to the variable cost.
c. equal to the fixed cost.
d. equal to only explicit costs.
e. equal to the sum of implicit and explicit costs.
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. If a firm shuts down in the short run, it still has to pay the cost of its
fixed resources, which are those costs that do not vary with output. See 7-3:
Costs in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. If a firm shuts down in the short run, it still has to pay the cost of its
fixed resources, which are those costs that do not vary with output. See 7-3:
Costs in the Short Run
c. Correct. If a firm shuts down in the short run, it still has to pay the cost of its fixed
resources, which are those costs that do not vary with output. See 7-3: Costs in
the Short Run
d. Incorrect. If a firm shuts down in the short run, it still has to pay the cost of its
fixed resources, which are those costs that do not vary with output. See 7-3:
Costs in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. If a firm shuts down in the short run, it still has to pay the cost of its
fixed resources, which are those costs that do not vary with output. See 7-3:
Costs in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
91. A firm enters into a consent decree to avoid an even greater legal setback. If the terms of the consent decree
effectively double the firm's fixed costs, then:
a. marginal cost more than doubles.
b. marginal cost doubles.
c. marginal cost remains unchanged.
d. average total cost remains unchanged.
e. average variable cost doubles.
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Changes in the fixed costs of a firm do not have any effect on its
marginal costs. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. Changes in the fixed costs of a firm do not have any effect on its
marginal costs. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
c. Correct. Changes in the fixed costs of a firm do not have any effect on its
marginal costs. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. Changes in the fixed costs of a firm do not have any effect on its
marginal costs. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. Changes in the fixed costs of a firm do not have any effect on its
marginal costs. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
92. If total cost at Quantity = 0 is $100 and total cost at Quantity = 10 is $500, then average variable cost at Quantity = 10
is _____.
a. $500
b. $400
c. $50
d. $40
e. $10
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The average variable cost is calculated as variable cost divided by
quantity. Total cost is the sum of fixed and variable costs. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
b. Incorrect. The average variable cost is calculated as variable cost divided by
quantity. Total cost is the sum of fixed and variable costs. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
c. Incorrect. The average variable cost is calculated as variable cost divided by
quantity. Total cost is the sum of fixed and variable costs. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
d. Correct. The average variable cost is calculated as variable cost divided by
quantity. Total cost is the sum of fixed and variable costs. See 7-3: Costs in the
93. Figure 7.1 shows the U-shaped cost curves for a producer. In the figure below, A is the marginal cost curve, B is the
average variable cost curve, and C is the average total cost curve. The vertical distance between lines B and C at any level
of output represents _____.
a. marginal cost
b. average total cost
c. average variable cost
d. average fixed cost
e. average marginal cost
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Average total cost is the sum of average fixed cost and average
variable cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
b. Incorrect. Average total cost is the sum of average fixed cost and average
variable cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
c. Incorrect. Average total cost is the sum of average fixed cost and average
variable cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
d. Correct. Average total cost is the sum of average fixed cost and average variable
cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
e. Incorrect. Average total cost is the sum of average fixed cost and average
variable cost. See 7-3: Costs in the Short
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
94. Figure 7.1 shows the U-shaped cost curves for a producer. In the table figure, A is the marginal cost curve, B is the
average variable cost curve, and C is the average total cost curve. At an output of 10, the:
95. Figure 7.1 shows the U-shaped cost curves for a producer. In the figure below, A is the marginal cost curve, B is the
96. Figure 7.1 shows the U-shaped cost curves for a producer. In the figure below, curve B represents _____.
98. The average total cost curve and the average variable cost curve:
a. are closer together as output increases, with average variable cost reaching its minimum level first.
b. are closer together as output increases, with average total cost reaching its minimum level first.
c. are farther apart as output increases, with average variable cost reaching its minimum level first.
d. are farther apart as output increases, with average total cost reaching its minimum level first.
e. are parallel to each other and reach their minimum levels at the same rate of output.
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. The difference between average total cost and average variable cost is
the average fixed cost. As more output is being produced, fixed cost stays the
same, but the average fixed cost declines. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. The difference between average total cost and average variable cost is
the average fixed cost. As more output is being produced, fixed cost stays the
same, but the average fixed cost declines. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. The difference between average total cost and average variable cost is
the average fixed cost. As more output is being produced, fixed cost stays the
same, but the average fixed cost declines. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. The difference between average total cost and average variable cost is
the average fixed cost. As more output is being produced, fixed cost stays the
same, but the average fixed cost declines. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. The difference between average total cost and average variable cost is
the average fixed cost. As more output is being produced, fixed cost stays the
same, but the average fixed cost declines. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
99. Which of the following is true in the short run at the output level where average total cost is at its minimum?
a. Marginal cost equals average total cost.
b. Average variable cost equals fixed cost.
c. Marginal cost equals average variable cost.
d. Average total cost equals average fixed cost.
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 61
e. Average total cost equals average variable cost.
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
b. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
c. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
d. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
e. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
100. Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between the marginal cost and average variable cost
curves?
a. Marginal Cost is always above Average Variable Cost
b. Average Variable Cost is always above Marginal Cost
c. Marginal Cost crosses Average Variable Cost at Average Variable Cost's minimum point
d. Marginal Cost crosses Average Variable Cost at Marginal Cost's minimum point
e. both Average Variable Cost and Marginal Cost first rise and then fall
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
b. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
c. Correct. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
d. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
e. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 62
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
104. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost (ATC) curve:
a. at the ATC curve's minimum point.
b. only when the ATC curve is sloping upward.
c. at the ATC curve's maximum point.
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 64
d. only when the ATC curve is sloping downward.
e. when the ATC curve intersects the fixed cost curve.
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
b. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
c. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
d. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
e. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
105. The marginal cost curve intersects the average variable cost (AVC) curve:
a. only when the AVC curve is rising.
b. at the AVC curve's maximum point.
c. at the AVC curve's minimum point.
d. only when the AVC curve is sloping downward.
e. when the AVC curve intersects the fixed cost curve.
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
b. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
c. Correct. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
d. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
e. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 65
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
106. Which of the following is true of the relationship between average and marginal costs?
a. If the marginal cost is greater than the average cost, the average cost is increasing.
b. If the marginal cost is greater than the average cost, the average cost is decreasing
c. If the marginal cost is greater than the average cost, the marginal cost is increasing
d. If the marginal cost is greater than the average cost, the marginal cost is decreasing
e. If the marginal cost is greater than the average cost, the total cost is decreasing
ANSWER: a
FEEDBACK: a. Correct. When the marginal cost is below the average cost, the marginal cost
pulls the average cost down. When the marginal cost is above the average cost,
the marginal cost pulls the average cost up. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
b. Incorrect. When the marginal cost is below the average cost, the marginal cost
pulls the average cost down. When the marginal cost is above the average cost,
the marginal cost pulls the average cost up. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
c. Incorrect. When the marginal cost is below the average cost, the marginal cost
pulls the average cost down. When the marginal cost is above the average cost,
the marginal cost pulls the average cost up. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
d. Incorrect. When the marginal cost is below the average cost, the marginal cost
pulls the average cost down. When the marginal cost is above the average cost,
the marginal cost pulls the average cost up. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
e. Incorrect. When the marginal cost is below the average cost, the marginal cost
pulls the average cost down. When the marginal cost is above the average cost,
the marginal cost pulls the average cost up. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
107. With respect to the average cost curves, the marginal cost curve:
a. intersects the average total cost, average fixed cost, and average variable cost curves at their minimum points.
b. intersects the average total cost, average fixed cost, and average variable cost curves at their maximum points.
c. intersects both the average total cost and average variable cost curves at their minimum points.
d. intersects the average total cost curve where it is increasing and the average variable cost curve where it is
decreasing.
e. intersects only the average total cost curve at its minimum point.
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
b. Incorrect. The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average
variable cost curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the
Short Run
108. A firm's long-run average cost curve is also called its _____.
a. profit curve
b. explicit cost curve
c. opportunity cost curve
d. production curve
e. planning curve
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Because the long run is the planning horizon, the LRAC curve of a firm
is also called its planning curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. Because the long run is the planning horizon, the LRAC curve of a firm
is also called its planning curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Incorrect. Because the long run is the planning horizon, the LRAC curve of a firm
is also called its planning curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Incorrect. Because the long run is the planning horizon, the LRAC curve of a firm
is also called its planning curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Correct. Because the long run is the planning horizon, the LRAC curve of a firm is
also called its planning curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
109. Which of the following is also known as the firm's planning curve?
a. The average total cost curve
b. The total cost curve
c. The long-run average cost curve
d. The long-run marginal cost curve
e. The fixed cost curve
ANSWER: c
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FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Because long run is the planning period, the LRAC curve of a firm is
also called its planning curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. Because long run is the planning period, the LRAC curve of a firm is
also called its planning curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Correct. Because long run is the planning period, the LRAC curve of a firm is also
called its planning curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Incorrect. Because long run is the planning period, the LRAC curve of a firm is
also called its planning curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Incorrect. Because long run is the planning period, the LRAC curve of a firm is
also called its planning curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
110. For each size of plant a manufacturer could build, there is a different:
a. long-run average fixed cost curve.
b. long-run average variable cost curve.
c. short-run average total cost curve.
d. long-run average total cost curve.
e. long-run marginal cost curve.
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The short-run average total cost curve is different for different sizes of
firms in an industry. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. The short-run average total cost curve is different for different sizes of
firms in an industry. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Correct. The short-run average total cost curve is different for different sizes of
firms in an industry. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Incorrect. The short-run average total cost curve is different for different sizes of
firms in an industry. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Incorrect. The short-run average total cost curve is different for different sizes of
firms in an industry. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
111. Empirical studies of production suggest that the long-run average cost curve _____.
a. is U-shaped
b. has an inverted L shape
c. is L-shaped
d. is horizontal
112. Figure 7.2 shows four short-run average cost curves for many possible plant sizes. If the firm represented in the
figure below wants to produce output level q, then, in the long run, it should build a plant size with average total cost
curve of _____.
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. either 1 or 3
ANSWER: b
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The firm should choose the scale corresponding to the lowest short-run
average total cost. See 7-4: Costs in the Long
b. Correct. The firm should choose the scale corresponding to the lowest short-run
average total cost. See 7-4: Costs in the Long
c. Incorrect. The firm should choose the scale corresponding to the lowest short-run
average total cost. See 7-4: Costs in the Long
d. Incorrect. The firm should choose the scale corresponding to the lowest short-run
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 69
average total cost. See 7-4: Costs in the Long
e. Incorrect. The firm should choose the scale corresponding to the lowest short-run
average total cost. See 7-4: Costs in the Long
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
113. Figure 7.3 shows the short-run cost curves for a producer. In the figure below, lines H, J, and K represent:
114. The shape of the long-run average cost curve reflects _____.
a. market demand
b. economies and diseconomies of scale
c. increasing and diminishing marginal returns
d. productivity of fixed inputs
e. the law of diminishing returns
ANSWER: b
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The LRAC is a U-shaped curve because of economies and
diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Correct. The LRAC is a U-shaped curve because of economies and
diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Incorrect. The LRAC is a U-shaped curve because of economies and
diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Incorrect. The LRAC is a U-shaped curve because of economies and
diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Incorrect. The LRAC is a U-shaped curve because of economies and
diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
116. Which economic concept explains why a large drugstore chain can produce at a lower average cost than Whoville
Pharmacy, an individually owned drugstore?
a. Increasing marginal returns
b. Diminishing marginal returns
c. Economies of scale
d. Diseconomies of scale
e. Constant returns to scale
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. A larger plant size often allows for larger, more specialized machines
and greater specialization of labor. This will decrease the average cost as
production increases, allowing the larger drugstore chain to benefit from
economies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. A larger plant size often allows for larger, more specialized machines
and greater specialization of labor. This will decrease the average cost as
production increases, allowing the larger drugstore chain to benefit from
economies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Correct. A larger plant size often allows for larger, more specialized machines
and greater specialization of labor. This will decrease the average cost as
production increases, allowing the larger drugstore chain to benefit from
economies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Incorrect. A larger plant size often allows for larger, more specialized machines
and greater specialization of labor. This will decrease the average cost as
production increases, allowing the larger drugstore chain to benefit from
economies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Incorrect. A larger plant size often allows for larger, more specialized machines
and greater specialization of labor. This will decrease the average cost as
production increases, allowing the larger drugstore chain to benefit from
economies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
117. Doubling the circumference of an oil pipeline more than doubles the volume of oil that can be pumped through. This
strategy is chosen only by large firms because it results in _____.
a. production inefficiency
b. diminishing marginal returns
c. diseconomies of scale
d. constant returns to scale
e. economies of scale
ANSWER: e
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FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Larger firms are more able to take advantages of the economies of
scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. Larger firms are more able to take advantages of the economies of
scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Incorrect. Larger firms are more able to take advantages of the economies of
scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Incorrect. Larger firms are more able to take advantages of the economies of
scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Correct. Larger firms are more able to take advantages of the economies of
scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
118. To achieve the minimum efficient scale in the long run, a firm must:
a. charge the highest price possible.
b. produce where demand is unit elastic.
c. sell the most output possible.
d. minimize the cost of producing any given amount of output.
e. produce at minimum long-run average cost.
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The minimum efficient scale is the lowest rate of output at which long-
run average cost is at a minimum. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. The minimum efficient scale is the lowest rate of output at which long-
run average cost is at a minimum. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Incorrect. The minimum efficient scale is the lowest rate of output at which long-
run average cost is at a minimum. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Incorrect. The minimum efficient scale is the lowest rate of output at which long-
run average cost is at a minimum. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Correct. The minimum efficient scale is the lowest rate of output at which long-run
average cost is at a minimum. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
121. Someone once said that Chevrolet is so large that if it shakes its tail, its takes two years for its head to notice it. This
is an example of _____.
a. profit centers
b. economies of scale
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c. diseconomies of scale
d. diminishing marginal returns
e. diminishing marginal cost
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Sometimes large firms tend to ignore a small part of their production
process, which ultimately leads to diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the
Long Run
b. Incorrect. Sometimes large firms tend to ignore a small part of their production
process, which ultimately leads to diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the
Long Run
c. Correct. Sometimes large firms tend to ignore a small part of their production
process, which ultimately leads to diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the
Long Run
d. Incorrect. Sometimes large firms tend to ignore a small part of their production
process, which ultimately leads to diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the
Long Run
e. Incorrect. Sometimes large firms tend to ignore a small part of their production
process, which ultimately leads to diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the
Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
122. In recent years, the number of farms has fallen while the average farm size has increased. Which of the following
concept may explain this phenomenon?
a. Diminishing marginal returns
b. Declining productivity
c. Diseconomies of scale
d. Economies of scale
e. Poor economic reforms
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. A large plant size is preferred over small firms because of the
advantages of economies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. A large plant size is preferred over small firms because of the
advantages of economies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Incorrect. A large plant size is preferred over small firms because of the
advantages of economies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Correct. A large plant size is preferred over small firms because of the
advantages of economies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Incorrect. A large plant size is preferred over small firms because of the
advantages of economies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 75
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
124. If General Electric finds that doubling both its plant size and the amount of associated inputs does not double its
output level, then:
a. the law of diminishing returns is in effect.
b. long-run average costs must be decreasing.
c. the firm is experiencing diseconomies of scale.
d. the firm should increase production.
e. the firm is experiencing constant returns to scale.
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Correct. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
126. If a firm triples all of its inputs and its output doubles, it is said to be experiencing:
a. diminishing marginal returns.
b. increasing marginal returns.
c. diseconomies of scale.
d. economies of scale.
e. constant average costs.
ANSWER: c
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Correct. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
127. Diseconomies of scale are pictured on a graph by the upward-sloping portion of the _____.
a. marginal product curve
b. short-run marginal cost curve
c. long-run marginal cost curve
d. short-run average cost curve
e. long-run average cost curve
ANSWER: e
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Incorrect. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Correct. Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as
output expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
128. _____ is an example of an uncontrollable resource that contributes to diseconomies of scale for a movie theater.
a. A Concession stand staff
b. A public road congested with traffic
c. A discount from movie distributors
d. A single lobby in the theater
e. A bigger, more noticeable newspaper advertisement
ANSWER: b
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. An uncontrollable resource for a movie theater is a resource that cannot
be changed by the movie theater, not even in the long run. The inability to change
it leads to increasing long-run unit costs for the movie theater. See 7-4: Costs in
the Long Run
b. Correct. An uncontrollable resource for a movie theater is a resource that cannot
be changed by the movie theater, not even in the long run. The inability to change
it leads to increasing long-run unit costs for the movie theater. See 7-4: Costs in
the Long Run
130. At a given rate of output, marginal cost equals the slope of the _____.
a. long-run average cost curve
b. short-run average total cost curve
c. planning curve
131. The least-cost way of producing each particular rate of output is represented by the tangency points between the
short-run average cost curves and the _____.
a. total cost curve
b. short-run average total cost curve
c. average variable cost curve
d. long-run average cost curve
e. marginal cost curve
ANSWER: d
FEEDBACK: a. Incorrect. The point of tangency between the short-run average cost curve and
the long-run average cost curve shows the least-cost way of producing a
particular rate of output. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
b. Incorrect. The point of tangency between the short-run average cost curve and
the long-run average cost curve shows the least-cost way of producing a
particular rate of output. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
c. Incorrect. The point of tangency between the short-run average cost curve and
the long-run average cost curve shows the least-cost way of producing a
particular rate of output. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
d. Correct. The point of tangency between the short-run average cost curve and the
long-run average cost curve shows the least-cost way of producing a particular
rate of output. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
e. Incorrect. The point of tangency between the short-run average cost curve and
the long-run average cost curve shows the least-cost way of producing a
particular rate of output. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 80
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
132. Implicit costs involve direct cash payments for the use of a resource.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
FEEDBACK: Correct Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or
provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
Incorrect Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or
provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
133. All other things constant, higher implicit costs result in lower accounting profit.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
FEEDBACK: Correct Implicit costs require no cash payment and no entry in the firm’s accounting
statement, which records its revenues, explicit costs, and accounting profit. See 7-
1: Cost and Profit
Incorrect Implicit costs require no cash payment and no entry in the firm’s accounting
statement, which records its revenues, explicit costs, and accounting profit. See 7-
1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
134. If all the savings of an owner are invested in his consulting company, an increase in the interest rate increases his
implicit costs.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
FEEDBACK: Correct Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or
provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
Incorrect Implicit costs are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the firm or
provided by the firm’s owners. See 7-1: Cost and Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 81
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Reflective Thinking
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Apply
135. If a firm's accounting profit is positive, its economic profit must also be positive.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
FEEDBACK: Correct Accounting profit equals total revenue minus explicit costs, while economic profit
equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and explicit. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
Incorrect Accounting profit equals total revenue minus explicit costs, while economic profit
equals total revenue minus all costs, both implicit and explicit. See 7-1: Cost and
Profit
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.01 - Distinguish the three types of profit and explain what each
reflects
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Cost and Profit
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
139. If a firm is experiencing diminishing marginal returns, its marginal product is negative.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
FEEDBACK: Correct If a firm exhibits diminishing marginal returns, its marginal product is positive and
declining. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
Incorrect If a firm exhibits diminishing marginal returns, its marginal product is positive and
declining. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
140. If a firm is experiencing diminishing marginal returns, its marginal product is declining.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
FEEDBACK: Correct If a firm exhibits diminishing marginal returns, its marginal product is positive and
declining. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
Incorrect If a firm exhibits diminishing marginal returns, its marginal product is positive and
declining. See 7-2: Production in the Short Run
141. When marginal product is negative, the slope of the total product curve must be negative.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
FEEDBACK: Correct When marginal product is negative, total product declines. See 7-2: Production in
the Short Run
Incorrect When marginal product is negative, total product declines. See 7-2: Production in
the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
142. If the marginal product of an input is negative, the total product must also be negative.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
FEEDBACK: Correct If marginal product is negative, total product is declining. See 7-2: Production in the
Short Run
Incorrect If marginal product is negative, total product is declining. See 7-2: Production in the
Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.02 - Describe the most important feature of production in the short
run and what causes it
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Production in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
145. The marginal cost curve intersects the minimum point of the average variable cost curve.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
FEEDBACK: Correct The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average variable cost
curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
Incorrect The marginal cost curve intersects the average total cost and average variable cost
curves at their respective minimum points. See 7-3: Costs in the Short Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.03 - Explain why average cost is at a minimum when marginal cost
equals average cost
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
146. Long-run average costs are the same as long-run total costs.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
FEEDBACK: Correct Long-run average cost is the long-run total cost divided by quantity. See 7-4: Costs
in the Long Run
147. The long-run average cost curve is tangent to the minimum point of every short-run average total cost curve.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
FEEDBACK: Correct Each of the short-run average cost curves is tangent to the long-run average cost
curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
Incorrect Each of the short-run average cost curves is tangent to the long-run average cost
curve. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
148. If a firm is producing at its minimum efficient scale, increasing its output slightly will always lead to diseconomies
of scale.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
FEEDBACK: Correct The minimum efficient scale is the lowest rate of output at which long-run average
cost is at a minimum. Increasing output can lead to constant returns to scale or
diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
Incorrect The minimum efficient scale is the lowest rate of output at which long-run average
cost is at a minimum. Increasing output can lead to constant returns to scale or
diseconomies of scale. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
149. If a firm experiencing "economies of scale" decreases its output, its long-run average cost will decrease.
a. True
b. False
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 86
ANSWER: False
FEEDBACK: Correct Economies of scale occur where long-run average cost declines as output
expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
Incorrect Economies of scale occur where long-run average cost declines as output
expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
150. If a firm is experiencing diseconomies of scale, its long-run total cost curve is upward sloping.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
FEEDBACK: Correct Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as output
expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
Incorrect Diseconomies of scale occur where long-run average cost increases as output
expands. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Understand
151. Marginal cost indicates how much total cost increases if one more unit is produced or how much total cost drops if
production declines by one unit.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
FEEDBACK: Correct Marginal cost is calculated as the change in total cost divided by the change in
output. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
Incorrect Marginal cost is calculated as the change in total cost divided by the change in
output. See 7-4: Costs in the Long Run
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MICR.MCEACH.17.07.04 - Explain the sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - BUSPROG: Analytic - Communication Abilities
TOPICS: Costs in the Short Run
KEYWORDS: Bloom's: Remember
The idea of John’s visit to Ephesus, where Timothy was already settled over the church
as bishop, has made a great deal of trouble to those who stupidly confound the office of an
apostle with that of a bishop, and are always degrading an apostle into a mere church-
officer. Such blunderers of course, are put to a vast deal of pains to make out how Timothy
could manage to keep possession of his bishopric, with the Apostle John in the same town
with him; for they seem to think that a bishop, like the flag-officer on a naval station, can
hold the command of the post not a moment after a senior officer appears in sight; but that
then down comes the broad blue pennon to be sure, and never is hoisted again till the
greater officer is off beyond the horizon. But no such idle arrangements of mere etiquette
were ever suffered to mar the noble and useful simplicity of the primitive church
government, in the least. The presence of an apostle in the same town with a bishop, could
no more interfere with the regular function of the latter, than the presence of a diocesan
bishop in any city of his diocese, excludes the rector of the church there, from his pastoral
charge. The sacred duties of Timothy were those of the pastoral care of a single
church,――a sort of charge that no apostle ever assumed out of Jerusalem; but John’s
apostolic duties led him to exercise a general supervision over a great number of churches.
All those in Little Asia would claim his care alike, and the most distant would look to him for
counsel; while that in Ephesus, having been so well established by Paul, and being blessed
by the pastoral care of Timothy, who had been instructed and commissioned for that very
place and duty, by him, would really stand in very little need of any direct attention from
John. Yet among his Jewish brethren he would still find much occasion for his missionary
labor, even in that city; and this was the sort of duty which was most appropriate to his
apostolic character; for the apostles were missionaries and not bishops.
Others pretend to say, however, that Timothy was dead when John arrived, and that
John succeeded him in the bishopric,――a mere invention to get rid of the difficulty, and
proved to be such by the assertion that the apostle was a bishop, and rendered suspicious
also by the circumstance of Timothy being so young a man.
The fable of the Virgin Mary’s journey, in company with John, to Ephesus, has been very
gravely supported by Baronius, (Annals, 44, § 29,) who makes it happen in the second year
of the reign of Claudius, and quotes as his authority a groundless statement, drawn from a
mis-translation of a synodical epistle from the council of Ephesus to the clergy at
Constantinople, containing a spurious passage which alludes to this story, condemning the
Nestorians as heretics, for rejecting the tale. There are, and have long been, however, a
vast number of truly discreet and learned Romanists, who have scorned to receive such
contemptible and useless inventions. Among these, the learned Antony Pagus, in his
Historico-Chronological Review of Baronius, has utterly refuted the whole story, showing the
spurious character of the passage quoted in its support. (Pagus, Critica Baronius Annals,
42. § 3.) Lampe quotes moreover, the Abbot Facditius, the Trevoltian collectors and
Combefisius, as also refuting the fable. Among the Protestant critics, Rivetus and Basnage
have discussed the same point.
Thrown into a vessel of oil.――This greasy story has a tolerably respectable antiquity,
going farther back with its authorities than any other fable in the Christian mythology, except
Justin Martyr’s story about Simon Magus. The earliest authority for this is Tertullian, (A. D.
200,) who says that “at Rome, the Apostle John, having been immersed in hot oil, suffered
no harm at all from it.” (De Praescriptionibus adversus Haereticos, c. 36.) “In oleum igneum
immersus nihil passus est.” But for nearly two hundred years after, no one of the Fathers
refers to this fable. Jerome (A. D. 397.) is the next of any certain date, and speaks of it in
two passages. In the first (Against Jovinianus I. 14,) he quotes Tertullian as authority, but
bunglingly says, that “he was thrown into the kettle by order of Nero,”――a most palpable
error, not sanctioned by Tertullian. In the second passage, (Commentary on Matthew xx.
23,) he furthermore refers in general terms to “ecclesiastical histories, in which it was said
that John, on account of his testimony concerning Christ, was thrown into a kettle of boiling
oil, and came out thence like an athleta, to win the crown of Christ.” From these two
sources, the other narrators of the story have drawn it. Of the modern critics and historians,
besides the great herd of Papists, several Protestants are quoted by Lampe, as strenuously
defending it; and several of the greatest, who do not absolutely receive it as true, yet do not
presume to decide against it; as the Magdeburg Centuriators, (Century 1, lib. 2. c. 10,) who
however declare it very doubtful indeed, “rem incertissimam;”――Ittig, Le Clerc and
Mosheim taking the same ground. But Meisner, Cellarius, Dodwell, Spanheim, Heumann
and others, overthrow it utterly, as a baseless fable. They argue against it first, from the bad
character of its only ancient witness. Tertullian is well known as most miserably credulous,
and fond of catching up these idle tales; and even the devoutly credulous Baronius
condemns him in the most unmeasured terms for his greedy and undiscriminating love of
falsehood. Secondly, they object the profound silence of all the Fathers of the second, third
and fourth centuries, excepting him and Jerome; whereas, if such a remarkable incident
were of any authority whatever, those numerous occasions on which they refer to the
banishment of John to Patmos, which Tertullian connects so closely with this story, would
suggest and require a notice of the causes and attendant circumstances of that banishment,
as stated by him. How could those eloquent writers, who seem to dwell with so much delight
on the noble trials and triumphs of the apostles, pass over this wonderful peril and
miraculous deliverance? Why did Irenaeus, so studious in extolling the glory of John, forget
to specify an incident implying at once such a courageous spirit of martyrdom in this
apostle, and such a peculiar favor of God, in thus wonderfully preserving him? Hippolytus
and Sulpitius Severus too, are silent; and more than all, Eusebius, so diligent in scraping
together all that can heap up the martyr-glories of the apostles, and more particularly of
John himself, is here utterly without a word on this interesting event. Origen, too, dwelling
on the modes in which the two sons of Zebedee drank the cup of Jesus, as he prophesied,
makes no use of this valuable illustration.
On the origin of this fable, Lampe mentions a very ingenious conjecture, that some such
act of cruelty may have been meditated or threatened, but afterwards given up; and that
thence the story became accidentally so perverted as to make what was merely designed,
appear to have been partly put in execution.
This miraculous event procured the highly-favored John, by this extreme unction, all the
advantages with none of the disadvantages of martyrdom; for in consequence of this peril
he has received among the Fathers the name of a “living martyr.” (ζοων μαρτυρ) Gregory of
Nazianzus, Chrysostom, Athanasius, Theophylact and others, quoted by Suicer, [sub voc.
μαρτυρ,] apply this term to him. “He had the mind though not the fate of a martyr.” “Non
defuit animus martyrio,” &c. [Jerome and Cyprian.] Through ignorance of the meaning of the
word μαρτυρ, in this peculiar application to John, the learned Haenlein seems to me to have
fallen into an error on the opinion of these Fathers about his mode of death. In speaking of
the general testimony as to the quiet death of this apostle, Haenlein says: “But Chrysostom,
only in one ambiguous passage, (Homily 63 in Matthew) and his follower Theophylact,
number the Apostle John among the martyrs.” [Haenlein’s Einleitung in Neuen Testamentes
vol. III. chap. vi. § 1, p. 168.] The fact is, that not only these two, but several other Fathers,
use the term in application to John, and they all do it without any implication of an actual,
fatal martyrdom; as may be seen by a reference to Suicer, sub voc.
So little reverence have the critical, even among the Romanists, for any of these old
stories about John’s adventures, that the sagacious Abbot Facditius (quoted by Lampe)
quite turns these matters into a jest. Coupling this story with the one about John’s chaste
celibacy, (as supported by the monachists,) he says, in reference to the latter, that if John
made out to preserve his chastity uncontaminated among such a people as the Jews were,
in that most corrupt age, he should consider it a greater miracle than if John had come safe
out of the kettle of boiling oil; but on the reverend Abbot’s sentiment, perhaps many will
remark with Lampe,――“quod pronuntiatum tamen nimis audax est.”――“It is rather too
bold to pronounce such an opinion.” Nevertheless, such a termination of life would be so
much in accordance with the standard mode of dispatching an apostle, that they would
never have taken him out of the oil-kettle, except for the necessity of sending him to
Patmos, and dragging him on through multitudes of odd adventures yet to come. So we
might then have had the satisfaction of winding up his story, in the literal and happy
application of the words of a certain venerable poetical formula for the conclusion of a
nursery tale, which here makes not only rhyme but reason,――
his banishment.
patmos.
The place chosen for his banishment was a dreary desert island in
the Aegean sea, called Patmos. It is situated among that cluster of
islands, called the Sporades, about twenty miles from the Asian
coast, and thirty or forty southwest of Ephesus. It is at this day
known by the observation of travelers, to be a most remarkably
desolate place, showing hardly anything but bare rocks, on which a
few poor inhabitants make but a wretched subsistence. In this
insulated desert the aged apostle was doomed to pass the lonely
months, far away from the enjoyments of Christian communion and
social intercourse, so dear to him, as the last earthly consolation of
his life. Yet to him, his residence at Ephesus was but a place of exile.
Far away were the scenes of his youth and the graves of his fathers.
“The shore whereon he loved to dwell,”――the lake on whose
waters he had so often sported or labored in the freshness of early
years, were still the same as ever, and others now labored there, as
he had done ere he was called to a higher work. But the homes of
his childhood knew him no more forever, and rejoiced now in the
light of the countenances of strangers, or lay in blackening
desolation beneath the brand of a wasting invasion. The waters and
the mountains were there still,――they are there now; but that which
to him constituted all their reality was gone then, as utterly as now.
The ardent friends, the dear brother, the faithful father, the fondly
ambitious and loving mother,――who made up his little world of life,
and joy, and hope,――where were they? All were gone; even his
own former self was gone too, and the joys, the hopes, the thoughts,
the views of those early days, were buried as deeply as the friends
of his youth, and far more irrevocably than they. Cut off thus utterly
from all that once excited the earthly and merely human emotions
within him, the whole world was alike a desert or a home, according
as he found in it communion with God, and work for his remaining
energies, in the cause of Christ. Wherever he went, he bore about
with him his resources of enjoyment,――his home was within
himself; the friends of his youth and manhood were still before him in
the ever fresh images of their glorious examples; the brother of his
heart was near him always, and nearest now, when the persecutions
of imperial tyranny seemed to draw him towards a sympathetic
participation in the pains and the glories of that bloody death. The
Lord of his life, the author of his hopes, the guide of his youth, the
cherisher of his spirit, was over and around him ever, with the
consolations of his promised presence,――“with him always, even to
the end of the world.”
the apocalypse.
The points proper for inquiry in connection with a history of the life
of John, may be best arranged in the form of questions with their
answers severally following.
Many will doubtless feel disposed to question the propriety of thus bringing out, in a
popular book, inquiries which have hitherto, by a sort of common consent, been confined to
learned works, and wholly excluded from such as are intended to convey religious
knowledge to ordinary readers. The principle has been sometimes distinctly specified and
maintained, that some established truths in exegetical theology, must needs be always kept
among the arcana of religious knowledge, for the eyes and ears of the learned few, to whom
“it is given to know these mysteries;” “but that to them that are without,” they are ever to
remain unknown. This principle is often acted on by the theologians of Germany and
England, so that a distinct line seems to be drawn between an exoteric and an esoteric
doctrine,――a public and a private belief,――the latter being the literal truth, while the
former is such a view of things, as suits the common religious prejudices of the mass of
hearers and readers. But such is not the free spirit of true Protestantism; nor is any deceitful
doctrine of “accommodation” accordant with the open, single-minded honesty of apostolic
teachings. Taking from the persons who are the subjects of this history, something of their
simple freedom of word and action, for the reader’s benefit, several questions will be boldly
asked, and as boldly answered, on the authorship, the scope, and character of the
Apocalypse. And first, on the present personal question in hand, a spirit of tolerant regard
for opinions discordant with those of some readers, perhaps may be best learned, by
observing into what uncertainties the minds of the greatest and most devout of theologians,
and of the mighty founders of the Protestant faith, have been led on this very point.
The great Michaelis (Introduction to the New Testament, vol. IV. c. xxxiii. § 1.) apologizes
for his own doubts on the Apocalypse, justifying himself by the similar uncertainty of the
immortal Luther; and the remarks of Michaelis upon the character of the persons to whom
Luther thus boldly published his doubts, will be abundantly sufficient to justify the discussion
of such darkly deep matters, to the readers of the Lives of the Apostles.
Not only Martin Luther as here quoted by Michaelis, but the other great reformers of that
age, John Calvin and Ulric Zwingle, boldly expressed their doubts on this book, which more
modern speculators have made so miraculously accordant with anti-papal notions. Their
learned cotemporary, Erasmus, also, and the critical Joseph Scaliger, with other great
names of past ages, have contributed their doubts, to add a new mark of suspicion to the
Apocalypse.
“As it is not improbable that this cautious method of proceeding will give offense to some
of my readers, I must plead in my behalf the example of Luther, who thought and acted
precisely in the same manner. His sentiments on this subject are delivered, not in an
occasional dissertation on the Apocalypse, but in the preface to his German translation of it,
a translation designed not merely for the learned, but for the illiterate, and even for children.
In the preface prefixed to that edition, which was printed in 1522, he expressed himself in
very strong terms. In this preface he says: ‘In this book of the Revelation of St. John, I leave
it to every person to judge for himself: I will bind no man to my opinion; I say only what I
feel. Not one thing only fails in this book; so that I hold it neither for apostolical, nor
prophetical. First and chiefly, the apostles do not prophesy in visions, but in clear and plain
words, as St. Peter, St. Paul, and Christ in the gospel do. It is moreover the apostle’s duty to
speak of Christ and his actions in a simple way, not in figures and visions. Also no prophet
of the Old Testament, much less of the New, has so treated throughout his whole book of
nothing but visions: so that I put it almost in the same rank with the fourth book of Esdras,
and cannot any way find that it was dictated by the Holy Ghost. Lastly, let every one think of
it what his own spirit suggests. My spirit can make nothing out of this book; and I have
reason enough not to esteem it highly, since Christ is not taught in it, which an apostle is
above all things bound to do, as he says, (Acts i.) Ye are my witnesses. Therefore I abide by
the books which teach Christ clearly and purely.’
“But in that which he printed in 1534, he used milder and less decisive expressions. In
the preface to this later edition, he divides prophecies into three classes, the third of which
contains visions, without explanations of them; and of these he says: ‘As long as a
prophecy remains unexplained and has no determinate interpretation, it is a hidden silent
prophecy, and is destitute of the advantages which it ought to afford to Christians. This has
hitherto happened to the Apocalypse: for though many have made the attempt, no one to
the present day, has brought any thing certain out of it, but several have made incoherent
stuff out of their own brain. On account of these uncertain interpretations, and hidden
senses, we have hitherto left it to itself, especially since some of the ancient Fathers
believed that it was not written by the apostle, as is related in Lib. III. Church History. In this
uncertainty we, for our part, still let it remain: but do not prevent others from taking it to be
the work of St. John the apostle, if they choose. And because I should be glad to see a
certain interpretation of it, I will afford to other and higher spirits occasion to reflect.’
“Still however, he declared he was not convinced that the Apocalypse was canonical,
and recommended the interpretation of it to those who were more enlightened than himself.
If Luther then, the author of our reformation, thought and acted in this manner, and the
divines of the last two centuries still continued, without the charge of heresy, to print
Luther’s preface to the Apocalypse, in the editions of the German Bible of which they had
the superintendence, surely no one of the present age ought to censure a writer for the
avowal of similar doubts. Should it be objected that what was excusable in Luther would be
inexcusable in a modern divine, since more light has been thrown on the subject than there
had been in the sixteenth century, I would ask in what this light consists. If it consists in
newly discovered testimonies of the ancients, they are rather unfavorable to the cause; for
the canon of the Syrian church, which was not known in Europe when Luther wrote, decides
against it. On the other hand, if this light consists in a more clear and determinate
explanation of the prophecies contained in the Apocalypse, which later commentators have
been able to make out, by the aid of history, I would venture to appeal to a synod of the
latest and most zealous interpreters of it, such as Vitringa, Lange, Oporin, Heumann, and
Bengel, names which are free from all suspicion; and I have not the least doubt, that at
every interpretation which I pronounced unsatisfactory, I should have at least three voices
out of the five in my favor. At all events they would never be unanimous against me, in the
places where I declared that I was unable to perceive the new light, which is supposed to
have been thrown on the subject since the time of Luther.
“I admit that Luther uses too harsh expressions, where he speaks of the epistle of St.
James, though in a preface not designed for Christians of every denomination: but his
opinion of the Apocalypse is delivered in terms of the utmost diffidence, which are well
worthy of imitation. And this is so much the more laudable, as the Apocalypse is a book,
which Luther’s opposition to the church of Rome must have rendered highly acceptable to
him, unless he had thought impartially, and had refused to sacrifice his own doubts to
polemical considerations.”
To pretend to decide with certainty on a point, which Martin Luther boldly denied, and
which John David Michaelis modestly doubted, implies neither superior knowledge of the
truth, nor a more holy reverence for it; but rather marks a mere presumptuous self-
confidence, and an ignorant bigotry, arising from the prejudices of education. Yet from the
deep researches of the latter of these writers, and of other exegetical theologians since,
much may be drawn to support the view taken in the text of this Life of John, which is
accordant with the common notion of its authorship. The quotation just given, however, is
valuable as inculcating the propriety of hesitation and moderation in pronouncing upon
results.
The testimony of the Fathers, on the authenticity of the Apocalypse as a work of John,
the apostle, may be very briefly alluded to here. The full details of this important evidence
may be found by the scholar in J. D. Michaelis’s Introduction to the New Testament (Vol. IV.
c. xxxiii. § 2.) Hug’s Introduction to the New Testament (Vol. II. § 176.) Lardner’s Credibility
of Gospel History (Supplement, chapter 22.) Fabricii Bibliotheca Graeca. (Harles’s 4to.
edition with Keil’s, Kuinoel’s, Gurlitt’s, and Heyne’s notes, vol. IV. pp. 786‒795,
corresponding to vol. III. pp. 146‒149, of the first edition.) Lampe, Prolegomena to a
Johannine Theology.
Justin Martyr (A. D. 140,) is the first who mentions this book. He says, “A man among
us, named John, one of the apostles of Christ, has, in a revelation which was made to him,
prophesied,” &c. Melito (A. D. 177.) is quoted by Eusebius and by Jerome, as having written
a treatise on the Revelation. He was bishop of Sardis, one of the seven churches, and his
testimony would be therefore highly valuable, if it were certain whether he wrote for or
against the authenticity of the work. Probably he was for it, since he calls it “the Apocalypse
of John,” in the title of his treatise, and the silence of Eusebius about the opinion of Melito
may fairly be construed as showing that he did not write against it. Irenaeus, (A. D. 178,)
who in his younger days was acquainted with Polycarp, the disciple and personal friend of
John, often quotes this book as “the Revelation of John, the disciple of the Lord.” And in
another place, he says, “It was seen not long ago, almost in our own age, at the end of the
reign of Domitian.” This is the most direct and valuable kind of testimony which the writings
of the Fathers can furnish on any point in apostolic history; for Irenaeus here speaks from
personal knowledge, and, as will be hereafter shown, throws great light on the darkest
passage in the Apocalypse, by what he had heard from those persons who had seen John
himself, face to face, and who heard these things from his own lips. Theophilus of Antioch,
(A. D. 181,)――Clemens of Alexandria, (A. D. 194,――Tertullian of Carthage, (A. D.
200,)――Apollonius of Ephesus, (A. D. 211,)――Hippolytus of Italy, (A. D. 220,)――Origen
of Alexandria and Caesarea, (A. D. 230,)――all received and quoted it as a work of John
the apostle, and some testify very fully as to the character of the evidence of its authenticity,
received from their predecessors and from the contemporaries of John.
But from about the middle of the third century, it fell under great suspicion of being the
production of some person different from the apostle John. Having been quoted by
Cerinthus and his disciples, (a set of Gnostical heretics, in the first century,) in support of
their views, it was, by some of their opponents, pronounced to be a fabrication of Cerinthus
himself. At this later period, however, it suffered a much more general condemnation; but
though denied by some to be an apostolic work, it was still almost universally granted to be
inspired. Dionysius of Alexandria, (A. D. 250,) in a book against the Millenarians, who
rested their notions upon the millenial passages of this revelation, has endeavored to make
the Apocalypse useless to them in support of their heresy. This he has done by referring to
the authority of some of his predecessors, who rejected it on account of its maintaining
Cerinthian doctrines. This objection however, has been ably refuted by modern writers,
especially by Michaelis and Hug, both of whom, distinctly show that there are many
passages in the Revelation, so perfectly opposite to the doctrines of Cerinthus, that he
could never have written the book, although he may have been willing to quote from it such
passages as accorded with his notions about a sensual millenium,――as he could in this
way meet those, who did take the book for an inspired writing.
Dionysius himself, however, does not pretend to adopt this view of the authorship of it,
but rather thinks that it was the work of John the presbyter, who lived in Ephesus in the age
of John the apostle, and had probably been confounded with him by the early Fathers. This
John is certainly spoken of by Papias, (A. D. 120,) who knew personally both him and the
apostle; but Papias has left nothing on the Apocalypse, as the work of either of them. (The
substance of the whole argument of Dionysius is very elaborately given and reviewed, by
both Michaelis and Hug.) After this bold attack, the apostolic character of the work seems to
have received much injury among most of the eastern Fathers, and was generally rejected
by both the Syrian and Greek churches, having no place in their New Testament canon.
Eusebius, (A. D. 315,) who gives the first list of the writings of the New Testament, that is
known, divides all books which had ever been offered as apostolical, into three
classes,――the universally acknowledged, (ὁμολογουμενα homologoumena,)――the
disputed, (αντιλεγομενα antilegomena,)――and the spurious, (νοθα notha.) In the first class,
he puts all now received into the New Testament, except the epistle to the Hebrews, the
epistles of James and Jude, the second of Peter, the second and third of John, and the
Revelation. These exceptions he puts into the second, or disputed class, along with sundry
writings now universally considered apocryphal. Eusebius says also, “It is likely that the
Revelation was seen by John the presbyter, if not by John the apostle.”――Cyril of
Jerusalem, (A. D. 348,) in his catalogue of the Scriptures, does not allow this a place.
Epiphanius of Salamis, in Cyprus, (A. D. 368,) though himself receiving it as of apostolic
origin, acknowledged that others in his time rejected it. The council of Laodicea, (A. D. 363,)
sitting in the seat of one of the seven churches, did not give the Revelation a place among
the sacred writings of the New Testament, though their list includes all others now received.
Gregory, of Nazianzus, in Cappadocia, (A. D. 370,) gives a catalogue of the canonical
scriptures, but excludes the Revelation. Amphilochius, of Iconium, in Lycaonia, (A. D. 370,)
in mentioning the canonical scriptures, says, “The Revelation of John is approved by some;
but many say it is spurious.” The scriptural canon of the Syrian churches rejects it, even as
given by Ebed Jesu, in 1285; nor was it in the ancient Syriac version completed during the
first century; but the reason for this may be, that the Revelation was not then
promulgated.――Jerome of Rome, (A. D. 396,) receives it, as do all the Latin Fathers; but
he says, “the Greek churches reject it.”――Chrysostom (A. D. 398,) never quotes it, and is
not supposed to have received it. Augustin, of Africa, (A. D. 395,) receives it, but says that it
was not received by all in his time. Theodoret, (A. D. 423,) of Syria, and all the ecclesiastics
of that country, reject it also.
The result of all this evidence is, as will be observed by glancing over the dates of the
Fathers quoted, that, until the year 250, no writer can be found who scrupled to receive the
Apocalypse as the genuine work of John the apostle,――that the further back the Fathers
are, the more explicit and satisfactory is their testimony in its favor,――and that the fullest of
all, is that of Irenaeus, who had his information from Polycarp, the most intimate and
beloved disciple of John himself. Now, where the evidence is not of the ordinary cumulative
character, growing weighty, like a snowball, the farther it travels from its original starting-
place, but as here, is strongest at the source,――it may justly be pronounced highly
valuable, and an eminent exception to the usual character of such historical proofs, which,
as has been plentifully shown already in this book, are too apt to come “but-end first,” as the
investigator travels from the last to the first. It will be observed also, by a glance at the
places where these Fathers flourished, that all those who rejected the Apocalypse belonged
to the eastern section of the churches, including both the Greeks and the Syrians, while
the western churches, both the Europeans and Latino-Africans, adopted the Apocalypse
as an apostolic writing. This is not so fortunate a concurrence as that of the dates, since the
easterns certainly had better means of investigating such a point than the westerns. A
reason may be suggested for this, in the circumstance, that the Cerinthians and other
heretics, who were the occasion of the first rejection of the Apocalypse, annoyed only the
eastern churches, and thus originated the mischief only among them. Lampe, Michaelis and
others, indeed, quote Caius of Rome, as a solitary exception to this geographical
distribution of the difficulty, but Paulus and Hug have shown that the passage in Caius, to
which they refer, has been misapprehended, as the scholar may see by a reference to
Hug’s Introduction to the New Testament, vol. II. pp. 647‒650, [Wait’s translation,] pp. 593‒
596, [original.] There is something in Jerome too, which implies that some of the Latins, in
his time, were beginning to follow the Greek fashion of rejecting this book, but he scouts this
new notion, and says he shall stick to the old standard canon.
The internal evidence is also so minutely protracted in its character, that only a bare
allusion to it can be here permitted, and reference to higher and deeper sources of
information, on such an exegetical point, may be made for the benefit of the scholar.
Lampe, Wolf, Michaelis, Mill, Eichhorn and others, quoted by Fabricius, [Bibliotheca
Graeca, vol. IV. p. 795, note 46.] Hug and his English translator, Dr. Wait, are also full on
this point.
This evidence consists for the most part in a comparison of passages in this book with
similar ones in the other writings of John, more especially his gospel. Wetstein, in particular,
has brought together many such parallelisms, some of which are so striking in the peculiar
expressions of John, and yet so merely accidental in their character, as to afford most
satisfactory evidence to the nicest critics, of the identity of authorship. A table of these
coincidences is given from Wetstein, by Wait, Hug’s translator, (p. 636, note.) Yet on this
very point,――the style,――the most serious objection to the Apocalypse, as a work of the
author of John’s gospel, has always been founded;――the rude, wild, thundering sublimity
of the vision of Patmos, presenting such a striking contrast with the soft, love-teaching, and
beseeching style of the gospel and the epistles of John. But such objectors have forgotten
or overlooked the immense difference between the circumstances under which these works
were suggested and composed. Their period, their scene, their subject, their object, were all
widely removed from each other, and a thoughtful examination will show, that writings of
such widely various scope and tendency could not well have less striking differences, than
those observable between this and the other writings of John. In such a change of
circumstances, the structure of sentences, the choice of words, and the figures of speech,
could hardly be expected to show the slightest similarity between works, thus different in
design, though by the same author. But in the minuter peculiarities of language, certain
favorite expressions of the author,――particular associations of words, such as a forger
could never hit upon in that uninventive age,――certain personal views and sentiments on
trifling points, occasionally modifying the verbal forms of ideas――these and a multitude of
other characteristics, making up that collection of abstractions which is called an author’s
style,――all quite beyond the reach of an imitator, but presenting the most valuable and
honest tests to the laborious critic,――constitute a series of proofs in this case, which none
can fully appreciate but the investigators and students themselves.