Answer:
The marginal product of the third painter is the additional area they can paint compared to two painters. This is calculated by subtracting the output with two painters (200 square feet) from the output with three painters (275 square feet), resulting in a marginal product of 75 square feet for the third painter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The marginal product of the third painter can be calculated by determining the difference in total output when the third painter is added to the existing two painters.
If two painters can paint 200 square feet of wall in an hour, and three painters can paint 275 square feet in an hour, the additional square feet painted by the third painter represent the marginal product of the third painter.
To find the marginal product of the third painter, we subtract the output of two painters from the output of three painters:
- Output with two painters: 200 square feet
- Output with three painters: 275 square feet
- Marginal product of the third painter = 275 - 200 = 75 square feet
So, the marginal product of the third painter is 75 square feet.