A firm's cost curve is C = F + 10q - bq^2 + q^3, where b>0.

a. For what values of b are cost, average cost, and average variable cost positive? (From now on, assume that all these measures of cost are positive at every output level.)

b. What is the shape of the AC curve? At what output level is the AC minimized?

c. At what output levels does the MC curve cross the AC and the AVC curves?

Answer the following questions using the data given below. annual percent return on mutual funds (n = 17) last year (x) this year (y) 11.9 15.4 19.5 26.7 11.2 18.2 14.1 16.7 14.2 13.2 5.2 16.4 20.7 21.1 11.3 12.0 –1.1 12.1 3.9 7.4 12.9 11.5 12.4 23.0 12.5 12.7 2.7 15.1 8.8 18.7 7.2 9.9 5.9 18.9

Highland company produces a lightweight backpack that is popular with college students. standard variable costs relating to a single backpack are given below

Which of the following best explains why online retail companies have an advantage over regular stores? a. their employees make less money because they mostly perform unskilled tasks. b. they are able to keep distribution costs low by negotiating deals with shipping companies. c. their transactions require expensive state-of-the-art technological devices. d. they have a larger number of potential customers because people anywhere can buy from them.