Marginalindtægter

Marginalindtægter refers to the additional revenue a company or individual earns from producing and selling one more unit of a good or service. It is a key concept in microeconomics, particularly in the analysis of production and pricing decisions. To calculate marginalindtægter, one subtracts the total revenue generated from selling a certain quantity of a product from the total revenue generated from selling one additional unit. The formula is change in total revenue divided by change in quantity.

Understanding marginalindtægter is crucial for firms aiming to maximize profits. A firm will typically increase production as long as the marginalindtægter from selling an extra unit is greater than the marginalomkostninger, which is the additional cost incurred in producing that extra unit. When marginalindtægter equals marginalomkostninger, the firm is producing at its profit-maximizing output level. If marginalindtægter falls below marginalomkostninger, further production would lead to a decrease in profits. In a perfectly competitive market, marginalindtægter is equal to the market price, as firms are price takers. However, in markets with imperfect competition, such as monopolies or oligopolies, marginalindtægter is generally less than the price because firms must lower their price to sell additional units.