Suppose a firm is producing in the long run. When it produces 4,000 units of output, its total cost is $8,000. When it produces 4,200 units of output, its total cost is $8,200, and when it produces 4,400 units of output, its total cost is $8,800. This firm is experiencing (constant, decreasing, increasing, increasing then decreasing, decreasing then increasing) returns to scale?

The answer should be b.

The business cycle is the periodic but irregular up-and-down movement in economic activity, measured by fluctuations in real gross domestic product (gdp) and other macroeconomic variables. a business cycle is typically characterized by four phases—recession, recovery, growth, and decline—that repeat themselves over time. economists note, however, that complete business cycles vary in length. the duration of business cycles can be anywhere from about two to twelve years, with most cycles averaging six years in length. some business analysts use the business cycle model and terminology to study and explain fluctuations in business inventory and other individual elements of corporate operations. but the term "business cycle" is still primarily associated with larger (industry-wide, regional, national, or even international) business trends.