Explain why the marginal cost curve intersects a U-shaped average cost

Explain why the marginal cost curve intersects a U-shaped average cost curve at its minimum point.

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER

At low quantities, the average cost curve declines as the quantity increases. The marginal cost is below the average cost. The marginal cost represents the cost of an additional unit of production. Thus, as the marginal cost curve declines, this pulls the average cost down from its previous level. Then, the marginal cost curve will begin to rise. However, the marginal cost is still below the average cost, and will continue to lower the average cost. When the two costs are equal the marginal cost will leave the average cost unchanged. Then, the marginal cost will be above the average cost so it will start to pull up the average cost. Thus, the marginal cost curve will intersect the average cost curve at its minimum point.