Behavior of Cost in the Short Run

Short-run costs are important to understanding costs in economics. The distinction between short-run and long-run based on fixed and variable factors of production makes the concept of understanding short run costs simpler. Let us understand the concepts by way of examples, diagrams for graphical representation.

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The Concept of Short Run

It is key to understand the concept of the short run in order to understand short run costs. In economics, we distinguish between short run and long run through the application of fixed or variable inputs.

Fixed inputs (plant, machinery, etc.) are those factors of production that cannot be changed or altered in a short span of time because the time period is ‘too small’. This makes the short run. Here, the inputs are of two types: fixed and variable.

In the long-run, all the inputs become variable (eg. raw materials). By this, we mean that all inputs can be changed with a change in the volume of output. Thus, the concept of fixed inputs applies only to the short-run. It is to short-run costs that we now turn.

Browse more Topics under Production And Costs

• Production Function
• Total Product, Average Product and Marginal Product
• Shapes of Total Product, Average Product and Marginal Product
• Return to scale and Cobb Douglas Function
• Long-Run Cost Curves

Short Run Cost Function

The cost function is a functional relationship between cost and output. It explains that the cost of production varies with the level of output, given other things remain the same (ceteris paribus). This can be mathematically written as:

C = f(X)

where C is the cost of production and X represents the level of output.

Total Fixed Cost

Fixed cost refers to the cost of fixed inputs. It does not change with the level of output (thus, fixed). Fixed inputs include building, machinery etc. Hence the cost of such inputs such as rent or cost of machinery constitutes fixed costs. Also referred to as overhead costs, supplementary costs or indirect costs, these costs remain the same irrespective of the level of output.

Hence, if we plot the Total Fixed Cost (TFC) curve against the level of output on the horizontal axis, we get a straight line parallel to the horizontal axis. This indicates that these costs remain the same and that they have to be incurred even if the level of output is zero.

Total Variable Cost

The cost incurred on variable factors of production is called Total Variable Cost (TVC). These costs vary with the level of output or production. Thus, when production level is zero, TVC is also zero. Thus, the TVC curve begins from the origin.

The shape of the TVC is peculiar. It is said to have an inverted-S shape. This is because, in the initial stages of production, there is scope for efficient utilization of fixed factor by using more of the variable factor (eg. Workers employing machinery).

Hence, as the variable input employed increases, the productive efficiency of variable inputs ensures that the TVC increases but at a diminishing rate. This makes the first part of the TVC curve that is concave.

As the production continues to increase, more and more variable factor is employed for a given amount of fixed input. The productive efficiency of each variable factor falls and it adds more to the cost of production. So the TVC increases but now at an increasing rate. This is where the TVC curve is convex in shape. And so the TVC curve gets an inverted-S shape.

Total Cost

Total cost (TC) refers to the sum of fixed and variable costs incurred in the short-run. Thus, the short-run cost can be expressed as

TC = TFC + TVC

Note that in the long run, since TFC = 0, TC =TVC. Thus, we can get the shape of the TC curve by summing over TFC and TVC curves.

 

Fig.1

(Source: economicsdiscussion)

The following can be noted about the TC curve:

• The TC curve is inverted-S shaped. This is because of the TVC curve. Since the TFC curve is horizontal, the difference between the TC and TVC curve is the same at each level of output and equals TFC. This is explained as follows: TC – TVC = TFC
• The TFC curve is parallel to the horizontal axis while the TVC curve is inverted-S shaped.
• Thus, the TC curve is the same shape as TVC but begins from the point of TFC rather than the origin.
• The law that explains the shape of TVC and subsequently TC is called the law of variable proportions.

Solved Example for You

Question: Comment on the shape of the TC, TVC and TFC curves based on the following table:

Output	Fixed Cost	Variable Cost	Total Cost
0	40	0	40
1	40	20	60
2	40	30	70
3	40	32	72
4	40	34	74
5	40	36	76
6	40	38	78
7	40	40	80
8	40	46	86

Answer:

1. We see that the Fixed Cost remains the same even as production increases from 0 to 8 units. Thus the value of FC = 40
2. It can be noted that the Variable Cost increases as the output increases. The VC increases at a diminishing rate till 7 units of output, after which it starts increasing at an increasing rate.
3. The final column shows the Total Cost which is the sum of FC and VC and increases as the output increases.