Where does the marginal cost curve intersect the average variable cost curve?
Henry Morales
Published Feb 21, 2026
lowest point
There is one point where the marginal cost curve and the average variable cost curve intersect. They intersect at the lowest point of the average variable cost curve. The marginal cost curve represents how much more the next unit costs than the previous unit.
What is the intersection of MC and AVC?
By the same logic, when MC is above AVC, it is pushing the average up so AVC must be rising. When the marginal unit costs more than the average, the average has to increase. By definition, then, the MC curve intersects the AVC curve at the minimum point on the AVC curve. At the intersection, MC and AVC are equal.
What is the the price at which marginal cost intersect average variable cost?
The marginal cost curve intersects the average cost curve exactly at the bottom of the average cost curve—which occurs at a quantity of 72 and cost of $6.60 in Figure 1. The reason why the intersection occurs at this point is built into the economic meaning of marginal and average costs.
Why does the marginal cost curve intersect the average variable cost curve at its minimum?
The marginal cost curve always intersects the average total cost curve at its lowest point because the marginal cost of making the next unit of output will always affect the average total cost. As a result, so long as marginal cost is less than average total cost, average total cost will fall.
How do you find marginal cost and average variable cost?
Marginal cost is the incremental cost of each additional unit of a product. The cumulative marginal cost of Q units equals total variable cost. Hence, average variable cost effectively equals cumulative marginal cost of Q units divided by Q.
Why is a marginal cost curve U shaped?
Marginal Cost. Marginal Cost is the increase in cost caused by producing one more unit of the good. The Marginal Cost curve is U shaped because initially when a firm increases its output, total costs, as well as variable costs, start to increase at a diminishing rate. Then as output rises, the marginal cost increases.
bottom
The marginal cost curve intersects the average cost curve exactly at the bottom of the average cost curve—which occurs at a quantity of 72 and cost of $6.60 in Figure 1. The reason why the intersection occurs at this point is built into the economic meaning of marginal and average costs.
What is the relationship between the marginal cost curve and the average variable cost curve?
The average variable cost curve lies below the average total cost curve and is typically U-shaped or upward-sloping. Marginal cost (MC) is calculated by taking the change in total cost between two levels of output and dividing by the change in output. The marginal cost curve is upward-sloping.
What is the relation between marginal cost and average cost?
When the average cost declines, the marginal cost is less than the average cost. When the average cost increases, the marginal cost is greater than the average cost. When the average cost stays the same (is at a minimum or maximum), the marginal cost equals the average cost.
How is marginal cost curve related to variable cost curve?
The marginal cost curve intersects the average variable and average fixed cost curves at their minimum points. B. Average variable cost declines continuously as total output is expanded. C. Total cost will exceed variable cost. D.
What is the relationship between variable cost and total cost?
Relationship between different curves. Average Variable Cost (AVC) = VC/Q. ATC = AFC + AVC At a level of Q at which the MC curve is above the average total cost or average variable cost curve, the latter curve is rising. If MC is below average total cost or average variable cost, then the latter curve is falling.
How to define marginal cost in econ130 flashcards?
C. marginal cost must be less than average total cost. D. total cost must also be declining. A. average total cost must be falling. B. average variable cost may be either rising or falling. C. marginal cost must be falling. D. average variable costs must be rising. A. MC and ATC would be equal at all levels of output.
What is the short run average variable cost curve?
Short-run average variable cost curve (AVC or SRAVC) A U-shaped short-run Average Cost (AC) curve. AVC is the Average Variable Cost, AFC the Average Fixed Cost, and MC the marginal cost curve crossing the minimum of both the Average Variable Cost curve and the Average Cost curve.