1. The Lotsa Pasta Company sells pasta in a perfectly competitive market at a price of $2 per pound. Its marginal cost, average variable cost, and average total cost curves in the short run can be seen below: price 2 MC ATC AVC d=MR q Find the profit-maximizing level of output and mark it q*. Shade in the area of profit earned by the firm. Is it positive or negative?

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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The Lotsa Pasta Company sells pasta in a perfectly competitive market at a price of $2 per pound. Its marginal cost, average variable cost, and average total cost curves in the short run can be seen below:

**Graph Explanation:**

The graph displays several key economic curves for the Lotsa Pasta Company:

- **Price and Demand (d = MR):** Represented by a horizontal line at the price of $2, indicating that the firm is a price taker in a perfectly competitive market.

- **Marginal Cost (MC):** A curve that initially decreases, reaches a minimum point, and then increases. This curve intersects the demand curve, indicating the profit-maximizing level of output (q*).

- **Average Total Cost (ATC):** A curve typically U-shaped, which indicates the average cost of producing each unit including fixed and variable costs.

- **Average Variable Cost (AVC):** A U-shaped curve lying below the ATC, representing the variable costs on average for each unit.

**Instruction:**

Find the profit-maximizing level of output and mark it \( q^* \). Shade in the area of profit earned by the firm. Is it positive or negative?

To determine the profit-maximizing level of output (\( q^* \)), locate where the MC curve intersects the price line (\( d = MR \)). The difference between the price ($2) and the ATC at \( q^* \) represents the per-unit profit. If this area is above the ATC, the profit is positive; otherwise, it is negative.
Transcribed Image Text:The Lotsa Pasta Company sells pasta in a perfectly competitive market at a price of $2 per pound. Its marginal cost, average variable cost, and average total cost curves in the short run can be seen below: **Graph Explanation:** The graph displays several key economic curves for the Lotsa Pasta Company: - **Price and Demand (d = MR):** Represented by a horizontal line at the price of $2, indicating that the firm is a price taker in a perfectly competitive market. - **Marginal Cost (MC):** A curve that initially decreases, reaches a minimum point, and then increases. This curve intersects the demand curve, indicating the profit-maximizing level of output (q*). - **Average Total Cost (ATC):** A curve typically U-shaped, which indicates the average cost of producing each unit including fixed and variable costs. - **Average Variable Cost (AVC):** A U-shaped curve lying below the ATC, representing the variable costs on average for each unit. **Instruction:** Find the profit-maximizing level of output and mark it \( q^* \). Shade in the area of profit earned by the firm. Is it positive or negative? To determine the profit-maximizing level of output (\( q^* \)), locate where the MC curve intersects the price line (\( d = MR \)). The difference between the price ($2) and the ATC at \( q^* \) represents the per-unit profit. If this area is above the ATC, the profit is positive; otherwise, it is negative.
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