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Library AP Microeconomics Unit 3: Production, Cost, and the Perfect Competition Model
⁂   AP Microeconomics · Unit 3

3. Production, Cost, and the Perfect Competition Model

22–25% of the AP exam. Key topics: Production function: total product (TP), marginal product (MP), Law of diminishing marginal returns, Short-run cost curves: fixed cost (FC), variable cost (VC), total cost (TC), Average fixed cost (AFC), average variable cost (AVC), average total cost (ATC), marginal cost (MC), Geometric relationships among cost curves: MC crosses ATC and AVC at their minima; AFC = ATC − AVC, Economic profit vs. accounting profit; normal profit; sunk cost, Total revenue (TR), marginal revenue (MR), and price in perfect competition (P = MR = D), Profit-maximization rule: MR = MC, Short-run equilibrium: profit, loss, and shutdown condition (P < min AVC), Long-run equilibrium in perfect competition: P = min ATC, zero economic profit, Productive efficiency (P = min ATC) and allocative efficiency (P = MC).

15 instructional periods 22–25% exam weight standard track

Unit 3: Production, Cost, and the Perfect Competition Model

Study guide content for this unit is being prepared. Check back soon for complete lesson notes, formula sheets, and worked examples.

Topics in this unit

  • Production function: total product (TP), marginal product (MP)
  • Law of diminishing marginal returns
  • Short-run cost curves: fixed cost (FC), variable cost (VC), total cost (TC)
  • Average fixed cost (AFC), average variable cost (AVC), average total cost (ATC), marginal cost (MC)
  • Geometric relationships among cost curves: MC crosses ATC and AVC at their minima; AFC = ATC − AVC
  • Economic profit vs. accounting profit; normal profit; sunk cost
  • Total revenue (TR), marginal revenue (MR), and price in perfect competition (P = MR = D)
  • Profit-maximization rule: MR = MC
  • Short-run equilibrium: profit, loss, and shutdown condition (P < min AVC)
  • Long-run equilibrium in perfect competition: P = min ATC, zero economic profit
  • Productive efficiency (P = min ATC) and allocative efficiency (P = MC)