CHAPTER VII.

How Uniform Profit is obtained
vol. Ill, pait. 1, ch. 9, German ed.)
Let us now return to the question as to the influence exerted by the difference between fixed and circulating capital on the rate of profit. In our schedule (p. 29) we assumed that the whole of the constant capital reappears immediately in the value of the product (i. e. that it is entirely circulating capital). This may occasionally be the case, but it. is not the rule. We must therefore take into consideration the fact that, in general, only "a part of the constant capital is con- sumed, whereas the rest remains. According as to whether this remaining part is large or small, the surplus-value actually produced by several capitals of equal size will other conditions being identical - naturally vary. Let us take the following figures always on the assumption that the surplus-value amounts to 100%, /'. c. that labour power, over and above its own value, produces exactly as much surplus-value:
litai
Surplus- Value
Rate of Piofit
Consumed (ant Capital
Value of Commo- dities
Cost-
20
50
90
70
II 70 c 30 v
51
111
81
40
51
131
9t
15
40
70
55
V 95 c f 5 v
5
10
20
15
390 c llOv
' 110
110%
22 v
22
If we regard the capitals I V OIKV nun mgle
shall find that in this case also the osition of the five capitals is )c+ll()v; that the
HOW UNIFORM PROFIT IS OBTAINED.
35
average composition 78c + 22v, thus remains the same; con- sequently that the average surplus-value 22 % likewise remains unchanged. If this surplus-value were uniformly distributed among capitals I — V, the following would be the prices of the commodities:
Capital
Surplus- Value
Value of comr
Cost- price
nodities
Price of commo- dities
{^ate of 'Profit
Difference between Price & Value