In the short run,the average total cost curve reaches its minimum point at a lower level of output than the short-run marginal cost curve reaches its minimum.

In the short run, the average total cost curve reaches its minimum point at the same level of output where the short-run marginal cost curve intersects it from below, not at a lower level of output. This is because the marginal cost curve influences the average total cost, and when the marginal cost is below the average total cost, it pulls the average down, and when it is above, it pushes the average up. The minimum point of the average total cost curve occurs precisely where the marginal cost equals the average total cost.