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1. Consider a single firm facing inverse demand function p=100-10q where q is th

ID: 1167556 • Letter: 1

Question

1. Consider a single firm facing inverse demand function
p=100-10q
where q is the quantity of the good produced and p is the price for the good.
The firm has linear cost function C(q)=10q .
Find the firm's profit maximizing quantity, q*.

2. Suppose now there are two firms facing inverse demand function
p = 100 - 10Q
where Q=q_1 + q _ 2 is the total quantity of the good produced and p is the price for the good.
Each firm has linear cost function C(q) = 10q .
Find the competitive equilibrium output, Q *

3. Compare the monopoly price in Q1, call it p^M , to the competitive equilibrium price in Q2, call it p^CE,
What is p^M - p^CE

4. Consider the alcohol consumption problem (e.g., Tadelis 1.4) and suppose your payoff is given by
v (a ; theta)= (theta*a) - c*a^2
where c > 0 is the cost of consuming amount a and theta belongs to [1,6] is your tolerance for alcohol.
Find your optimal consumption a when theta is distributed uniformly on the interval [1,6].

Explanation / Answer

(1)

P = 100 - 10Q

Total revenue, TR = P x Q = 100Q - 10Q2

Marginal revenue, MR = dTR / dQ = 100 - 20Q

C(Q) = 10Q

Marginal cost, MC = dC / dQ = 10

It is not mentioned if the firm operates in a competitive or monopolistic industry, so I shall consider both market structures.

(a) A competitive firm will equate its price with MC.

Or

100 - 10Q = 10

10Q = 90,

Q = 9

(b) But a monopolist will equate its MR )and not price) with MC.

100 - 20Q = 10

20Q = 90

Q = 4.5

Note: Quantity is lower under monopolistic structure.

NOTE: Out of 4 questions, the 1st question has been answered.