Table 11-4
The table above shows the following relationship between hours spent fishing and the
quantity of fish caught for Juan, a commercial fisherman.
a. Complete the Marginal Product column in Table 11-4.
b. Characterize the production function, i.e. does the production function display
increasing marginal returns, diminishing marginal returns, etc.
c. Using the data above, graph Juan’s marginal product curve. Be sure to label the
horizontal and vertical axes. Is your graph consistent with your answer to part (b)?
Explain.
d. Juan uses the following inputs for fishing € a small wooden boat (B), a fishing pole
(P) and of course, his labor (L). Treating the boat and the fishing pole as fixed inputs
and using the data above, graph Juan’s Total Product of Labor curve. Be sure to label
the horizontal and vertical axes.
e. (Extra Credit) The opportunity cost of Juan’s time is $8 per hour. If Juan receives $2
per pound for his fish, what is the optimal number of hours he should spend fishing?
Explain how you arrived at your answer. Hint: Recall marginal benefit and marginal
cost analysis.