Mays and McCovey are beer-brewing companies that operate in a duopoly (two-firm oligopoly). The daily marginal cost (MC) of producing a can of beer is constant and equals $1.20 per can. Assume that neither firm had any startup costs, so marginal cost equals average total cost (ATC) for each firm. Suppose that Mays and McCovey form a cartel, and the firms divide the output evenly. (Note: This is only for convenience; nothing in this model requires that the two companies must equally share the output.) Place the black point (plus symbol) on the following graph to indicate the profit-maximizing price and combined quantity of output if Mays and McCovey choose to work together. PRICE (Dollar per can) 2.00 Demand 1.00 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0 0 40 80 MC ATC MR 120 160 200 240 260 320 360 400 QUANTITY (Cans of beer) Monopoly Outcome

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Mays and McCovey are beer-brewing companies that operate in a duopoly (two-firm oligopoly). The daily marginal cost (MC) of producing a can of
beer is constant and equals $1.20 per can. Assume that neither firm had any startup costs, so marginal cost equals average total cost (ATC) for each
firm.
Suppose that Mays and McCovey form a cartel, and the firms divide the output evenly. (Note: This is only for convenience; nothing in this model
requires that the two companies must equally share the output.)
Place the black point (plus symbol) on the following graph to indicate the profit-maximizing price and combined quantity of output if Mays and
McCovey choose to work together.
PRICE (Dollars per can)
2.00
1.80
1.60
1.20
1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40 +
0.20 +
0
Demand
0 40
80
MR
MC ATC
160 200 240 250 320 360 400
QUANTITY (Cans of beer)
Monopoly Outcome
Transcribed Image Text:Mays and McCovey are beer-brewing companies that operate in a duopoly (two-firm oligopoly). The daily marginal cost (MC) of producing a can of beer is constant and equals $1.20 per can. Assume that neither firm had any startup costs, so marginal cost equals average total cost (ATC) for each firm. Suppose that Mays and McCovey form a cartel, and the firms divide the output evenly. (Note: This is only for convenience; nothing in this model requires that the two companies must equally share the output.) Place the black point (plus symbol) on the following graph to indicate the profit-maximizing price and combined quantity of output if Mays and McCovey choose to work together. PRICE (Dollars per can) 2.00 1.80 1.60 1.20 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 + 0.20 + 0 Demand 0 40 80 MR MC ATC 160 200 240 250 320 360 400 QUANTITY (Cans of beer) Monopoly Outcome
cans and charge S
so the daily total industry profit in the beer market is S
When they act as a profit-maximizing cartel, each company will produce
information, each firm earns a daily profit of S
per can. Given this
Oligopolists often behave noncooperatively and act in their own self-interest even though this decreases total profit in the market. Again, assume the
two companies form a cartel and decide to work together. Both firms initially agree to produce half the quantity that maximizes total industry profit.
Now, suppose that Mays decides to break the collusion and increase its output by 50%, while McCovey continues to produce the amount set under the
collusive agreement. Using the demand curve shown in the previous graph, find the price associated with this new total level of combined output (the
price at which this new level of output would be purchased by consumers).
Mays's deviation from the collusive agreement causes the price of a can of beer to
S
], while McCovey's profit is now S
Mays increases its output beyond the collusive quantity.
to S
. Therefore, you can conclude that total industry profit
per can. Mays's profit is now
when
Transcribed Image Text:cans and charge S so the daily total industry profit in the beer market is S When they act as a profit-maximizing cartel, each company will produce information, each firm earns a daily profit of S per can. Given this Oligopolists often behave noncooperatively and act in their own self-interest even though this decreases total profit in the market. Again, assume the two companies form a cartel and decide to work together. Both firms initially agree to produce half the quantity that maximizes total industry profit. Now, suppose that Mays decides to break the collusion and increase its output by 50%, while McCovey continues to produce the amount set under the collusive agreement. Using the demand curve shown in the previous graph, find the price associated with this new total level of combined output (the price at which this new level of output would be purchased by consumers). Mays's deviation from the collusive agreement causes the price of a can of beer to S ], while McCovey's profit is now S Mays increases its output beyond the collusive quantity. to S . Therefore, you can conclude that total industry profit per can. Mays's profit is now when
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