<p>As said in my comment, </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The fixed cost is usually defined as the cost when quantity is equal to zero, and the variable cost as the total cost minus the fixed cost.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Hence, if $TC(q)$ is the total cost for the given level of quantity $q$, then $FC=TC(0)$ is the fixed cost, which is a constant independent of $q$; and  $VC(q)=TC(q)-FC$ is the variable cost.</p>

<p>For example, if $TC(q)=10+q$, then $FC=TC(0)=10$ and $VC(q)=TC(q)-FC=q$.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-24T07:40:57.327Z
2016-11-24T07:40:57.327Z
Elias
<p>I have been asked a question and believe there is a mistake in the problem. </p>

<p>I have been given a table of values, Quantity and corresponding Total cost. From those numbers I can easily calculate the Average total cost and marginal cost. </p>

<p>I am asked to find the fixed and variable cost for each quantity. The question provides no other information. Is this possible? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-23T22:38:54.193Z
@MB1992 I believe that with a little amount of mathematical notation added, this comment should be posted as an answer - after all that is all there is to it (and we do need to clear our "unanswered queue" as much as possible).
Alecos Papadopoulos
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-24T11:18:52.010Z
Is your marginal cost constant? or do you have TC(0) in your table ?
Yann
<microeconomics><cost>
Can one Calculate Fixed and Variable Cost From TC and Quantity Alone?
roccosaxman
# Can one Calculate Fixed and Variable Cost From TC and Quantity Alone?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-11-23)

I have been asked a question and believe there is a mistake in the problem.

I have been given a table of values, Quantity and corresponding Total cost. From those numbers I can easily calculate the Average total cost and marginal cost.

I am asked to find the fixed and variable cost for each quantity. The question provides no other information. Is this possible?

**Tags:** microeconomics, cost

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: @MB1992 I believe that with a little amount of mathematical notation added, this comment should be posted as an answer - after all that is all there is to it (and we do need to clear our "unanswered queue" as much as possible).  
> **username_2**: Is your marginal cost constant? or do you have TC(0) in your table ?  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-11-24. Score: 7

As said in my comment,

> The fixed cost is usually defined as the cost when quantity is equal to zero, and the variable cost as the total cost minus the fixed cost.

Hence, if $TC(q)$ is the total cost for the given level of quantity $q$, then $FC=TC(0)$ is the fixed cost, which is a constant independent of $q$; and $VC(q)=TC(q)-FC$ is the variable cost.

For example, if $TC(q)=10+q$, then $FC=TC(0)=10$ and $VC(q)=TC(q)-FC=q$.


---

