Google
Wednesday 
October 30, 2024 

AmosWEB means Economics with a Touch of Whimsy!

AmosWEBWEB*pediaGLOSS*aramaECON*worldCLASS*portalQUIZ*tasticPED GuideXtra CrediteTutorA*PLS
TOTAL FACTOR COST, MONOPSONY: The opportunity cost incurred by a monopsony when using a given factor of production to produce a good or service. This is the total cost associated with the use of a particular resource or factor of production--it is the total cost of the factor. For monopsony, the price paid increases with the quantity purchased and total factor cost increases at an increasing rate. Total factor cost is predominately used in the analysis of the factor market. Two derivative factor cost measures are average factor cost and marginal factor cost.

Visit the GLOSS*arama


DETERMINANT:

This has one of two somewhat related meanings. First, it refers to a ceteris paribus factor that is held constant when a curve or graphical relation between two other variables is constructed. Second, it refers to a known directional change in a variable resulting from the disruption of an equilibrium that is identified using comparative statics.
Determinant comes from the root word "determine." It surfaces in the study of economics in two ways.

Ceteris Paribus Curve Shifters

The first economic use of this word is as a ceteris paribus factor that is held constant when a curve is constructed, and which "determines" the position of the curve. If this determinant changes, the position of the curve also changes. In other words, a change in a determinant causes a shift of the curve.

Virtually every curve used in economics contains one or more determinants. The most common determinants are those found in the study of the market--demand determinants and supply determinants. A significant amount of economic analysis of the market is devoted to the study of what happens when the demand and supply determinants change. Does price increase or decrease? Does quantity increase or decrease?

Suppose, for example, that the market for hot fudge sundaes is at equilibrium with a $3 price and an exchange quantity of 1000 sundaes. This situation is based, in part, on the demand determinants, such as buyers' income. What, however, might happen to the market if buyers' income suddenly increased? If hot fudge sundaes are a normal good, this demand determinant increases demand and disrupts the market equilibrium. The result is a new equilibrium with a higher price and a larger quantity.

Known Variable Changes

The second way this word is used in economics is as a known change in a variable identified through comparative static analysis. If a model is disrupted and achieves a new equilibrium, then it is usually possible to "determine" the direction of the change (increase or decrease) of the endogenous variables in the model.

When used in this manner, the word determinant should be contrasted with the alternative, indeterminant. In some cases, the comparative static analysis of a disruption produces a known change in the direction of the variable. The variable increases or decreases. As such, the variable is said to be determinant. In other cases, the analysis does not produce a known change in the direction of a variable. The variable might increase or decrease. In this case the variable is said to be indeterminant.

Suppose, for example, that the hot fudge sundae market noted earlier, encounters a decrease in production cost due to a significant reduction in the price of hot fudge topping, in addition to the increase in buyers' income. With an increase in supply added to the increase in demand, the quantity of hot fudge sundaes exchanged in the market will most definitely increase. The direction of the change in the quantity is determinant. However, the new equilibrium price might be higher or lower than the original price. The price, in this case, is said to be indeterminant.

<= DERIVED DEMANDDETERMINANTS =>


Recommended Citation:

DETERMINANT, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2024. [Accessed: October 30, 2024].


Check Out These Related Terms...

     | indeterminant | demand determinants | supply determinants | change in demand | change in supply |


Or For A Little Background...

     | comparative statics | ceteris paribus | economic analysis | graphical analysis | variables | demand curve | supply curve | equilibrium | equilibrium price | equilibrium quantity | market equilibrium |


And For Further Study...

     | demand shock | supply shock | demand increase | demand decrease | supply increase | supply decrease | demand and supply increase | demand and supply decrease | demand increase and supply decrease | demand decrease and supply increase | price ceiling | price floor | elasticity determinants | aggregate demand determinants | aggregate supply determinants |


Search Again?

Back to the WEB*pedia


APLS

BLACK DISMALAPOD
[What's This?]

Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time driving to a factory outlet seeking to buy either a large, stuffed kitty cat or a cross-cut paper shredder. Be on the lookout for letters from the Internal Revenue Service.
Your Complete Scope

This isn't me! What am I?

The first U.S. fire insurance company was established by Benjamin Franklin in 1752 in Philadelphia.
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. "

-- Albert Einstein, physicist

AEC
Annual Equivalent Costs
A PEDestrian's Guide
Xtra Credit
Tell us what you think about AmosWEB. Like what you see? Have suggestions for improvements? Let us know. Click the User Feedback link.

User Feedback



| AmosWEB | WEB*pedia | GLOSS*arama | ECON*world | CLASS*portal | QUIZ*tastic | PED Guide | Xtra Credit | eTutor | A*PLS |
| About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Statement |

Thanks for visiting AmosWEB
Copyright ©2000-2024 AmosWEB*LLC
Send comments or questions to: WebMaster