HOMOGENEOUS OF DEGREE N: A property of an equation the exists if independent variables are increased by a constant value, then the dependent variable is increased by the value raised to the power of n. The value of n can be greater than, less than, or equal to one. This property often surfaces in the analysis of production functions. If n = 1, then a doubling independent variables results in a doubling of the dependent variable and the production function has constant returns to scale. If n > 1, then a doubling independent variables results in more than a doubling of the dependent variable and the production function has increasing returns to scale. If n < 1, then a doubling independent variables results in less than a doubling of the dependent variable and the production function has decreasing returns to scale. See also | homogeneous | production function | independent variable | dependent variable | constant returns to scale | increasing returns to scale | decreasing returns to scale | homogeneous of degree one | homogeneous of degree zero | economies of scale |
