Final answer:
The total cost of each method of production can be calculated by multiplying the labor cost by the number of labor hours and adding it to the cost of the machine multiplied by the number of machine hours. The firm should use the second method with a lower total cost of $550 because it would be more cost-effective.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total cost of each method of production can be calculated by multiplying the labor cost by the number of labor hours and adding it to the cost of the machine multiplied by the number of machine hours.
For the first method, with a cost of labor of $40 and a cost of the machine of $80, the total cost would be $600.
For the second method, with a cost of labor of $40 and a cost of the machine of $50, the total cost would be $550.
The firm should use the second method with a lower total cost of $550 because it would be more cost-effective.