that explains the engineering relationship between inputs and outputs:

The production function gives the answer to the question, how much output can the firm produce given

different amounts of inputs? Production functions are specific to the product. Different products have different

production functions. The amount of labor a farmer uses to produce a bushel of wheat is likely different than

that required to produce an automobile. Firms in the same industry may have somewhat different production

functions, since each firm may produce a little differently. One pizza restaurant may make its own dough and

sauce, while another may buy those pre-made. A sit-down pizza restaurant probably uses more labor (to

handle table service) than a purely take-out restaurant.

We can describe inputs as either fixed or variable.

Fixed inputs are those that can’t easily be increased or decreased in a short period of time. In the pizza
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