At an output ________ of a firm's short run average total cost curve, a firm can use its fixed capital input at a lower average cost but only by using its variable input at a higher average cost.

A) beyond the minimum point
B) beyond the maximum point
C) prior to the minimum point
D) equal to the highest level

At an output beyond the minimum point of a firm's short run average total cost curve, the firm experiences increasing average total costs because it is using its variable inputs (like labor) more intensively, which increases costs at a faster rate than output. This occurs after the firm has already minimized average total costs at the minimum point of the curve.