a) Prepare a table showing Total Output (TP), Average Product (AP) and Marginal Product (MP) of labour.
Step 1: Calculate Average Product (AP) using the formula AP=LTP.
Step 2: Calculate Marginal Product (MP) using the formula MP=ΔLΔTP. For L=0, MP is usually considered the MP of the first unit of labor.
| Unit of Labour (L) | Total Product (TP) | Average Product (AP) | Marginal Product (MP) |
| :------------------ | :----------------- | :------------------- | :-------------------- |
| 0 | 0 | - | - |
| 1 | 10 | 110=10 | 1−010−0=10 |
| 2 | 25 | 225=12.5 | 2−125−10=15 |
| 3 | 45 | 345=15 | 3−245−25=20 |
| 4 | 60 | 460=15 | 4−360−45=15 |
| 5 | 70 | 570=14 | 5−470−60=10 |
| 6 | 75 | 675=12.5 | 6−575−70=5 |
| 7 | 75 | 775≈10.71 | 7−675−75=0 |
The completed table is:
\begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
Unit of Labour (L) & Total Product (TP) & Average Product (AP) & Marginal Product (MP) \\
\hline
0 & 0 & - & - \\
1 & 10 & 10 & 10 \\
2 & 25 & 12.5 & 15 \\
3 & 45 & 15 & 20 \\
4 & 60 & 15 & 15 \\
5 & 70 & 14 & 10 \\
6 & 75 & 12.5 & 5 \\
7 & 75 & 10.71 & 0 \\
\hline
\end{array}
}$$
*b)* Show (a) above in a combined diagram.
To show the data in a combined diagram:
• Draw a graph with the *Units of Labour (L)* on the horizontal (x) axis.
• Use the vertical (y) axis to represent *Output* for the Total Product (TP) curve and *Product* for the Average Product (AP) and Marginal Product (MP) curves. Typically, TP is plotted on the upper part of the graph, and AP/MP are plotted on the lower part, sharing the same x-axis.
• Plot the *Total Product (TP)* curve by connecting the (L, TP) points. This curve will initially increase at an increasing rate, then increase at a decreasing rate, reach a maximum, and then may decline.
• Plot the *Average Product (AP)* curve by connecting the (L, AP) points. This curve will typically rise, reach a maximum, and then fall.
• Plot the *Marginal Product (MP)* curve by connecting the (L, MP) points. This curve will typically rise, reach a maximum, then fall, intersect the AP curve at its maximum point, and can become zero or negative.
Key relationships to observe in the diagram:
• The MP curve intersects the AP curve at the maximum point of the AP curve (between L=3 and L=4, where AP is 15).
• When MP is greater than AP, AP is rising.
• When MP is less than AP, AP is falling.
• When MP is zero, TP is at its maximum (at L=7, TP is 75).