In order to determine the profit maximisation position, we need to add the cost of production data.
The following table indicates the cost and revenue data for Funky Chicken:
Table: Cost and revenue data for Funky Chicken
Quantity (units of fried chicken pieces) | Total cost
TC (rand) |
Total revenue
TR (rand) |
Marginal cost
MC (rand) |
Marginal revenue
MR (rand) |
0 | 62 | 0 | --- | --- |
10 | 90 | 40 | 2,80 | 4,00 |
20 | 110 | 80 | 2,00 | 4,00 |
30 | 126 | 120 | 1,60 | 4,00 |
40 | 144 | 160 | 1,80 | 4,00 |
50 | 166 | 200 | 2,20 | 4,00 |
60 | 192 | 240 | 2,60 | 4,00 |
70 | 224 | 280 | 3,20 | 4,00 |
80 | 264 | 320 | 4,00 | 4,00 |
90 | 324 | 360 | 6,00 | 4,00 |
100 | 404 | 400 | 8,00 | 4,00 |
Column 1 indicates the quantity of fried chicken pieces. The total cost to produce these quantities is provided in column 2, while the total revenue from selling these quantities is provided in column 3. Column 4 indicates the marginal cost and column 5 the marginal revenue.
Study the above table and answer the following questions:
To determine at which output level Funky Chicken maximises its profits, we can use the rule that profit maximisation occurs where marginal revenue equals marginal cost (MR = MC).
According to the data for Funky Chicken, this occurs at an output level of 80. This is also the point where the difference between total revenue and total cost is the greatest, as indicated in the following table:
Table: Revenue and cost
Quantity (units of fried chicken)
Q |
Total cost
TC (rand) |
Total revenue
TR (rand) |
Marginal cost
MC (rand) |
Marginal revenue MR(rand) |
Profit
TR-TC (rand) |
0 | 62 | 0 | --- | --- | -62 |
10 | 90 | 40 | 2,80 | 4,00 | -50 |
20 | 110 | 80 | 2,00 | 4,00 | -30 |
30 | 126 | 120 | 1,60 | 4,00 | -6 |
40 | 144 | 160 | 1,80 | 4,00 | 16 |
50 | 166 | 200 | 2,20 | 4,00 | 34 |
60 | 192 | 240 | 2,60 | 4,00 | 48 |
70 | 226 | 280 | 3,40 | 4,00 | 54 |
80 | 264 | 320 | 4,00 | 4,00 | 56 |
90 | 324 | 360 | 6,00 | 4,00 | 36 |
100 | 404 | 400 | 8,00 | 4,00 | -4 |