The Microsoft Computer Company wants to estimate the average variable cost function of producing computer diskettes. The firm believes that AVC varies with the level of output and wages. Alan Anderson, the economist in the research department of the firm, collects monthly data on output (the number of diskettes produced), average variable costs, and wage rates paid by the firm over the past two years. He deflates costs and wages by their respective price indexes in order to eliminate inflationary influences. He then regresses total variable costs (TVC) on output (Q) and wages (W) and obtains the following result (where the numbers in parentheses are t values):
TVC= 0.14 + 0.80Q + 0.036W R2 =0.92 D = W = 1.9
(2.8) (3.8) (3.3)
(a) If W = S10, derive the AVC and MC functions of the firm.
(b) What are the shapes of the AVC and MC curves or' the firm?
(c) Why did Anderson fit a linear rather than quadratic or cubic TCF function:
(d) Was this the right choice? Why?