(a) A monopolist sells its product to two types of customers, business customers and other customers. The monopolist's total cost is given by TC 20 + 2Q, where Q denotes total output, so the marginal cost is equal to 2. Let P denote price. The demand of business customers is given by Q = 14 P. The demand of other customers is Q° = 5 - 0.5P. Note that you may need to allow price to differ between markets and possibly for different units purchased. (6) Define third-degree price discrimination. Assuming that such discrimination between the two groups is possible, calculate the price that the monopolist will set for business customers, the price it will set for other customers and the firm's total profit. (ii) Define first-degree price discrimination. Assuming that such discrimination is possible, how much will the monopolist sell to each group? Calculate the firm's total profit. (iii) Which gives higher profit, the pricing scheme in part (i) or that in part (ii)? Is this a general result or does it depend on the particular numbers used in this example? Explain.

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN:9780190931919
Author:NEWNAN
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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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(a) A monopolist sells its product to two types of customers, business customers and
other customers. The monopolist's total cost is given by TC 20 + 2Q, where Q
denotes total output, so the marginal cost is equal to 2. Let P denote price. The
demand of business customers is given by Q" 14- P. The demand of other
customers is Q° = 5-0.5P. Note that you may need to allow price to differ between
markets and possibly for different units purchased.
(i)
Define third-degree price discrimination. Assuming that such
discrimination between the two groups is possible, calculate the price that the
monopolist will set for business customers, the price it will set for other
customers and the firm's total profit.
(ii)
Define first-degree price discrimination. Assuming that such
discrimination is possible, how much will the monopolist sell to each group?
Calculate the firm's total profit.
(iii)
Which gives higher profit, the pricing scheme in part (i) or that in
part (ii)? Is this a general result or does it depend on the particular numbers
used in this example? Explain.
Transcribed Image Text:(a) A monopolist sells its product to two types of customers, business customers and other customers. The monopolist's total cost is given by TC 20 + 2Q, where Q denotes total output, so the marginal cost is equal to 2. Let P denote price. The demand of business customers is given by Q" 14- P. The demand of other customers is Q° = 5-0.5P. Note that you may need to allow price to differ between markets and possibly for different units purchased. (i) Define third-degree price discrimination. Assuming that such discrimination between the two groups is possible, calculate the price that the monopolist will set for business customers, the price it will set for other customers and the firm's total profit. (ii) Define first-degree price discrimination. Assuming that such discrimination is possible, how much will the monopolist sell to each group? Calculate the firm's total profit. (iii) Which gives higher profit, the pricing scheme in part (i) or that in part (ii)? Is this a general result or does it depend on the particular numbers used in this example? Explain.
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