Based on the table below and the principle of diminishing returns to capital, then total packages wrapped when a fourth machine is installed must be less than ______ packages. $$\begin{array} { | c | c | }
\hline \text { Number of (Identical) Machines } & \text { Total Packages Wrapped } \
\hline 1 & 5000 \
\hline 2 & 9,000 \
\hline 3 & 12,000 \
\hline
\end{array}$$

Question

Based on the table below and the principle of diminishing returns to capital, then total packages wrapped when a fourth machine is installed must be less than ______ packages. $$\begin{array} { | c | c | } 
\hline \text { Number of (Identical) Machines } & \text { Total Packages Wrapped } \
\hline 1 & 5000 \
\hline 2 & 9,000 \
\hline 3 & 12,000 \
\hline
\end{array}$$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of diminishing returns to capital suggests that as more machines are added, the additional output from each new machine decreases. The third machine adds 3,000 packages (from 9,000 to 12,000), so the fourth machine must add less than 3,000 packages, making the total less than 15,000.

Based on the Table Below and the Principle of Diminishing