total cost is equal to what?

It would be easy to read your brief question out of context. So, a brief answer to your brief question:

Generally speaking, total cost is the sum of fixed costs and variable costs.

Do you have a specific problem you are trying to solve?

To calculate the total cost of something, you need to consider both fixed costs and variable costs.

- Fixed costs: These are costs that remain constant regardless of the level of production or sales. These costs include things like rent, utilities, and salaries. To determine the total fixed costs, you add up all of these costs for a given period, such as a month or a year.

- Variable costs: These costs vary depending on the level of production or sales. Examples of variable costs include raw materials, direct labor, and shipping expenses. To determine the total variable costs, you multiply the variable cost per unit by the number of units produced or sold.

Once you have calculated the total fixed costs and total variable costs separately, you can simply add them together to get the total cost. This equation can be represented as:

Total Cost = Total Fixed Costs + Total Variable Costs

By understanding and accounting for both fixed and variable costs, you can have a better understanding of the overall cost involved in a particular activity or business operation.