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1. How does the profit maximization condition for a monopoly differ from that fo

ID: 2495379 • Letter: 1

Question

1. How does the profit maximization condition for a monopoly differ from that for a perfectly competitive firm? How does this difference impact efficiency under each market structure?

2. A perfectly competitive firm has the following fixed and variable costs in the short run. The market price for the firm’s product is $140.

            Output                 FC       VC            TC             TR     Profit/Loss

                  0                     $90              $0             90               0        (90)

         1                                            90                90            180           140      (40)

         2                                            90               170           260           280      20

         3                                            90               290           380           420      40

         4                                            90               430           520           560      40

         5                                            90               590           680           720      20

         6                                            90               770           860           840      (20)

              a.       Complete the table.

              b.       What level of output should the firm produce to maximize profits?

              c.      Assume this firm is making a loss when it produces its 7th unit of output. What should the firm do in the short-run?

3. The following table provides market share information about the soft-drink industry.

Do you think the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission would approve a merger between any two of the first three companies listed? Explain.

Do you think this market has barriers to entry? If so, what might they be?

Company Market Share Coca-Cola 37% Pepsi-Co 35 Cadbury Schweppers 17 Other 11

Explanation / Answer

the profit maximization condition for a monopoly is that its Marginal Cost should pe equal to Marginal Revenue

While that for a perfectly competitive firm, Price is equal to Marginal Cost is the condition.

For Monopoly, MR =MC

For Perfectly Competitive, P = MC

This difference impact efficiency under each market structure, as their will be a dead weight loss, if a monopoly produces at P =MC and also if a perfectly competitive firm produces at MR= MC .

2. a.

Output                 FC       VC            TC             TR     Profit/Loss

                  0                     $90              $0             90               0 -90

         1                                            90                90            180           140      (40) -40

         2                                            90               170           260           280      20 20

         3                                            90               290           380           420      40 40

         4                                            90               430           520           560      40 40

         5                                            90               590           680           720      20 40

         6                                            90               770           860           840      (20) -20

b. The level of output that firm should produce to maximize profits is Q = 5.

c. Firm will produce only till q=5.

3 I think the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission would not approve a merger between any two of the first three companies listed because this will create monopoly in the market which could use its market dominance and can exploit it .

Yes, since majority of the market share is held by few firms , this shows that there are barriers to entry. These barriers might be High Intial Fixed cost requirement ,Economies of scale and Distribution channel Requirement