\begin{tabular}{l} If a firm shuts down in the short run and produces no \ output, its total cost will be \ \hline zero \ \hline equal to total variable cost \ \hline equal to total fixed cost \ \hline equal to explicit costs only \ \hline impossible to calculate \end{tabular}

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To solve this problem, we need to analyze the situation of a firm that shuts down in the short run. Here are the key points to consider:

1. **Total Cost (TC)**: Total cost is the sum of total fixed costs (TFC) and total variable costs (TVC). The formula is:
   $$
   TC = TFC + TVC
   $$

2. **Short Run Shutdown**: When a firm shuts down in the short run, it stops producing output. This means that the total variable costs (TVC) become zero because variable costs are incurred only when production occurs.

3. **Total Fixed Costs (TFC)**: Even when the firm shuts down, it still incurs total fixed costs. These are costs that do not change with the level of output, such as rent, salaries of permanent staff, and other overheads.

Given this understanding, let's evaluate the options provided:

- **Zero**: This is incorrect because the firm still incurs fixed costs.
- **Equal to total variable cost**: This is incorrect because total variable cost is zero when production stops.
- **Equal to total fixed cost**: This is correct because the total cost in the short run when the firm shuts down is equal to the total fixed costs.
- **Equal to explicit costs only**: This is misleading because explicit costs include both fixed and variable costs, and in this case, only fixed costs are relevant.
- **Impossible to calculate**: This is incorrect because we can calculate total costs based on fixed costs.

Thus, the correct answer is:

**Equal to total fixed cost**.
When a firm shuts down in the short run and produces no output, its total cost is equal to its total fixed cost.

\begin{tabular}{l} If a firm shuts down in the short run and produces no \\ output, its total cost will be \\ \hline zero \\ \hline equal to total variable cost \\ \hline equal to total fixed cost \\ \hline equal to explicit costs only \\ \hline impossible to calculate \end{tabular}

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