Acme is a monopolist for a good with inverse demand P = 4000 – 6Q, where P is the price in dollars and Q is the amount sold. Acme's variable costs are TVC(Q) = 4Q². With these functions, the marginal revenue is MR(Q) = 4000 – 120 and marginal cost is MC(Q) = 8Q. a) If Acme has no fixed costs, what is its profit maximizing price? b) If Acme has non-sunk fixed costs of $700,000, is it worth operating or should they shut down?
Acme is a monopolist for a good with inverse demand P = 4000 – 6Q, where P is the price in dollars and Q is the amount sold. Acme's variable costs are TVC(Q) = 4Q². With these functions, the marginal revenue is MR(Q) = 4000 – 120 and marginal cost is MC(Q) = 8Q. a) If Acme has no fixed costs, what is its profit maximizing price? b) If Acme has non-sunk fixed costs of $700,000, is it worth operating or should they shut down?
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
Related questions
Question
![**Educational Content: Monopoly Pricing and Profit Maximization**
**Scenario Analysis:**
Acme is a monopolist for a good, facing the inverse demand function \( P = 4000 - 6Q \), where \( P \) represents the price in dollars and \( Q \) is the quantity sold. Acme's variable costs are represented by the equation \( TVC(Q) = 4Q^2 \). The marginal revenue function is given as \( MR(Q) = 4000 - 12Q \), and the marginal cost function is described by \( MC(Q) = 8Q \).
**Questions:**
a) **Profit Maximizing Price Without Fixed Costs:**
- To determine the profit-maximizing price, set marginal revenue (MR) equal to marginal cost (MC) and solve for \( Q \).
- \[
4000 - 12Q = 8Q
\]
- \[
4000 = 20Q \quad \Rightarrow \quad Q = 200
\]
- Substitute \( Q = 200 \) back into the inverse demand equation to find \( P \):
- \[
P = 4000 - 6(200) = 4000 - 1200 = 2800
\]
- The profit-maximizing price is $2800.
b) **Decision on Operation with Non-Sunk Fixed Costs of $700,000:**
- Calculate total profit using the quantity found:
- Total Revenue (TR) = \( P \times Q = 2800 \times 200 = 560,000 \)
- Total Variable Cost (TVC) = \( 4Q^2 = 4(200)^2 = 160,000 \)
- Total Cost (TC) including fixed costs = \( TVC + \text{fixed costs} = 160,000 + 700,000 = 860,000 \)
- Profit = TR - TC = \( 560,000 - 860,000 = -300,000 \)
Since the profit is negative even before considering fixed costs, Acme should consider shutting down because operating results in a loss.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F6e9f74db-68ca-409f-99ca-c3b15e89955c%2F22b54341-d647-4897-96ae-0e9040efe6e2%2F7deoagq_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:**Educational Content: Monopoly Pricing and Profit Maximization**
**Scenario Analysis:**
Acme is a monopolist for a good, facing the inverse demand function \( P = 4000 - 6Q \), where \( P \) represents the price in dollars and \( Q \) is the quantity sold. Acme's variable costs are represented by the equation \( TVC(Q) = 4Q^2 \). The marginal revenue function is given as \( MR(Q) = 4000 - 12Q \), and the marginal cost function is described by \( MC(Q) = 8Q \).
**Questions:**
a) **Profit Maximizing Price Without Fixed Costs:**
- To determine the profit-maximizing price, set marginal revenue (MR) equal to marginal cost (MC) and solve for \( Q \).
- \[
4000 - 12Q = 8Q
\]
- \[
4000 = 20Q \quad \Rightarrow \quad Q = 200
\]
- Substitute \( Q = 200 \) back into the inverse demand equation to find \( P \):
- \[
P = 4000 - 6(200) = 4000 - 1200 = 2800
\]
- The profit-maximizing price is $2800.
b) **Decision on Operation with Non-Sunk Fixed Costs of $700,000:**
- Calculate total profit using the quantity found:
- Total Revenue (TR) = \( P \times Q = 2800 \times 200 = 560,000 \)
- Total Variable Cost (TVC) = \( 4Q^2 = 4(200)^2 = 160,000 \)
- Total Cost (TC) including fixed costs = \( TVC + \text{fixed costs} = 160,000 + 700,000 = 860,000 \)
- Profit = TR - TC = \( 560,000 - 860,000 = -300,000 \)
Since the profit is negative even before considering fixed costs, Acme should consider shutting down because operating results in a loss.
Expert Solution
![](/static/compass_v2/shared-icons/check-mark.png)
This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
This is a popular solution!
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
![Blurred answer](/static/compass_v2/solution-images/blurred-answer.jpg)
Recommended textbooks for you
![ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS](https://compass-isbn-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/isbn_cover_images/9780190931919/9780190931919_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Principles of Economics (12th Edition)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780134078779/9780134078779_smallCoverImage.gif)
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134078779
Author:
Karl E. Case, Ray C. Fair, Sharon E. Oster
Publisher:
PEARSON
![Engineering Economy (17th Edition)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780134870069/9780134870069_smallCoverImage.gif)
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134870069
Author:
William G. Sullivan, Elin M. Wicks, C. Patrick Koelling
Publisher:
PEARSON
![ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS](https://compass-isbn-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/isbn_cover_images/9780190931919/9780190931919_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Principles of Economics (12th Edition)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780134078779/9780134078779_smallCoverImage.gif)
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134078779
Author:
Karl E. Case, Ray C. Fair, Sharon E. Oster
Publisher:
PEARSON
![Engineering Economy (17th Edition)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780134870069/9780134870069_smallCoverImage.gif)
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134870069
Author:
William G. Sullivan, Elin M. Wicks, C. Patrick Koelling
Publisher:
PEARSON
![Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305585126/9781305585126_smallCoverImage.gif)
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781305585126
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
![Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781337106665/9781337106665_smallCoverImage.gif)
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Economics
ISBN:
9781337106665
Author:
Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Michael R. Ward, Mike Shor
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
![Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781259290619/9781259290619_smallCoverImage.gif)
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Economics
ISBN:
9781259290619
Author:
Michael Baye, Jeff Prince
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education