Question

The value-added method involves taking the cost of intermediate outputs (i.e., outputs that will, in turn, be used in the production of another good) and subtracting that cost from the value of the good being produced. In this way, only the value that is added at each step (the sale value minus the value of the intermediate goods that went into producing it) is summed up. Explain why this method gives us the same result as the standard method of only counting the value of final goods and services.

Answer 1

Value Added = Value of Output - Intermediate Consumption = Final Goods . Value

Step-by-step explanation:

This can be explained with an example:

A produces flour & sells it to Grocer for Rs 100. Grocer produces Wheat & sells it to Baker for Rs 150. Baker produces bread & sells it to Consumers for Rs 200.

Value of Final Product (Used by end consumers) i.e Bread = Rs 200.

However if considering total Value Of Output including all value added at each stage = 100 + 150 + 200 = 450. This is Overestimated value of Final product Bread, because of 'Double Counting' - Grocer's wheat includes the intermediate good (good purchased for further resale/reprocessing) value of flour and Baker's bread includes value of Wheat & flour intermediate products both.

This problem can be solved by: Calculating Value Added (by subtracting intermediate consumption) at each stage & then summing it to get the Final good value.

In this case: Farmer's Value Added = VO - IC = Flour Value - 0 = 100 .

Grocer's Value Added = VO - IC = Wheat - Flour Value = 150 - 100 = 50

Baker's Value Added = VO - IC = Bread - Wheat Value = 200 - 150 = 50

Adding value added by all these 3 we get , 150 + 50 + 50 = 200 i.e equal to final good bread value 200.