When the total production is maximum, then the marginal production will be :

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
In the study of production functions, specifically under the Law of Variable Proportions, the relationship between Total Product (TP) and Marginal Product (MP) is fundamental. Marginal Product is defined as the change in Total Product resulting from the use of one additional unit of a variable factor of production (like labor), holding other factors fixed. Mathematically, MP is the slope of the TP curve. When the Total Product curve reaches its highest point, its slope is instantaneously zero. Therefore, at the precise point where Total Production is at its maximum, the Marginal Production is necessarily zero. This signifies the end of the second stage of production and the beginning of the irrational third stage.

The incorrect option is 1:
If marginal production were Negative, it would mean that adding an extra unit of the variable factor actually causes Total Production to decrease. This situation only occurs *after* Total Production has already reached its maximum point and is starting to decline, placing the firm in the third stage of production.

The incorrect option is 3:
If marginal production were Positive, it would indicate that Total Production is still increasing when the extra unit of the variable factor is employed. Therefore, the Total Production has not yet reached its maximum level; it is still climbing, and the firm is still operating in the rational first or second stage of production.

The incorrect option is 4:
Marginal production is Maximum when the Total Product curve transitions from increasing at an increasing rate to increasing at a diminishing rate. This point is known as the point of inflection and occurs much earlier than the point where Total Production reaches its maximum.