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Suppose that a firm in a perfectly competitive industry finds that at its current output rate, marginal revenue exceeds the minimum average total cost of producing any feasible rate of output. Furthermore, Marginal revenue (MR)is that the increase in revenue that results from the saleof 1 additional unit of output. While marginal revenue can remain constant overa specific level of output, it follows from the law of diminishing returnsand can eventuallyblock because the output level increases. Intheory, perfectly competitive firms continue producing output until marginal revenue equalsincremental cost.
Is the firm maximizing its economic profits? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified
  • The cost must be proportionate to the marginal revenue in order to maximize profit.
  • As a result, the company's output rate should be increased.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction

  • The increase in income that results from the sale of an extra unit is referred to as the sales cost (MR).
  • While marginal income can remain constant for a limited amount of production, as output levels climb, the law of diminishing returns mandates that it will eventually plateau. In theory, perfectly competitive businesses will keep producing until marginal income equals incremental costs.
02

Given Information

The firm is producing an output rate at whichmonetary value is a smaller amount thanthe typical total cost at that rate of output.

03

Explanation

  • If the incremental cost is a smaller amount than the common total cost, then it indicates that the cost curve is belowthe common cost curve.
    It means the price is a smaller amount than the marginal revenue. Thus, the firm isn't maximizing the profit.
  • In the perfectly competitive industry, to maximize the profit, cost should be adequate the marginal revenue.
  • Thus, the firm should increase the speed of output

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In several perfectly competitive markets for minerals used as inputs in digital devices, persistent increases in demand eventually have generated long-run increases in the market prices of these devices. Describe in words the types of adjustments that must have occurred in these markets to have brought about this outcome, and evaluate whether such digital-device industries are increasing-, constant-, or decreasing-cost industries.

Take a look at Figure 23-3. This figure uses the data in the table from Figure 23-2, which indicates that the area of the blue rectangle displaying hourly economic profits is $5 per period. What prevents this firm from continuing to produce the same number of units per hour but raising the price that it charges for each unit in order to enlarge the area of the profit rectangle?

Consider the diagram nearby, which applies to a perfectly competitive firm, which at present faces a market clearing price of \(20per unit and produces 10,000units of output per week.

a. What is the firm's current average revenue per unit?

b. What are the present economic profits of this firm? Is the firm maximizing economic profits? Explain.

c. If the market clearing price drops to \)12.50per unit, should this firm continue to produce in the short run if it wishes to maximize its economic profits (or minimize its economic losses)? Explain.

d. If the market clearing price drops to $7.50per unit, should this firm continue to produce in the short run if it wishes to maximize its economic profits (or minimize its economic loses)? Explain.

Two years ago, a large number of firms entered a market in which existing firms had been earning positive economic profits. By the end of last year, the typical firm in this industry had begun earning negative economic profits. No other events occurred in this market during the past two years.

a. Explain the adjustment process that occurred last year.

b. Predict what adjustments will take place in this market beginning this year, other things being equal.

If the government were to decide to limit the number of propane distributors to a handful of firms, would the propane-distribution industry still satisfy the characteristics of perfect competition? Explain.

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