Final answer:
Total manufacturing costs consist of direct materials, direct labor, and factory overhead, which all together form the complete expenditure for production in a manufacturing setting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The components of total manufacturing costs are direct materials, direct labor, and factory overhead. Together, these elements represent the full cost of producing a firm's output. Direct materials are the raw materials that are directly traceable to the finished product. Direct labor includes wages and salaries for the employees who are physically involved in creating the product. Lastly, factory overhead encompasses all other costs associated with manufacturing that can't be directly assigned to a specific product, such as rent, utilities, and depreciation. It's important to consider all these components to accurately calculate the cost of production and ensure effective pricing strategies.