In economics, average cost or unit cost is equal to total cost divided by the number of goods produced (the output quantity, Q). It is also equal to the sum of average variable costs (total variable costs divided by Q) plus average fixed costs (total fixed costs divided by Q). Average costs may be dependent on the time period considered (increasing production may be expensive or impossible in the short term, for example). Average costs affect the supply curve and are a fundamental component of supply and demand.
Read more about Average Cost: Short-run Average Cost, Long-run Average Cost, Relationship To Marginal Cost, Relationship Between AC, AFC, AVC and MC
Famous quotes containing the words average and/or cost:
“The average Kentuckian may appear a bit confused in his knowledge of history, but he is firmly certain about current politics. Kentucky cannot claim first place in political importance, but it tops the list in its keen enjoyment of politics for its own sake. It takes the average Kentuckian only a matter of moments to dispose of the weather and personal helath, but he never tires of a political discussion.”
—For the State of Kentucky, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“Keeping accounts, Sir, is of no use when a man is spending his own money, and has nobody to whom he is to account. You wont eat less beef today, because you have written down what it cost yesterday.”
—Samuel Johnson (17091784)