At quantities less than the long-run minimum cost per unit of output,the long-run average total cost curve is _____ of the corresponding short-run average total cost curve.

A) tangent to the minimum
B) tangent to the maximum
C) to the right of the minimum
D) to the left of the minimum

When quantities are less than the long-run minimum cost per unit of output, the short-run average total cost curve will be above the long-run average total cost curve. This is because in the short run, fixed costs cannot be adjusted and will be spread out over a smaller number of units, increasing the average cost per unit. In the long run, all costs can be adjusted, allowing for a lower minimum average total cost. Therefore, the long-run average total cost curve will be to the left of the short-run average total cost curve.