onsider a market with twO Tirms, Target and Wal-Mart, that sell CDS In their music department. Both ust choose whether to charge a high price ($25) or a low price ($15) for the new Miley Cyrus CD. hese price strategies with corresponding profits are depicted in the payoff matrix to the right. Target' re in red and Wal-Mart's are in blue. arget's dominant strategy is to pick a price of $ 15.

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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What is Nash equilibrium

### Understanding Nash Equilibrium in a Competitive Market

#### Scenario:
Consider a market with two firms, Target and Wal-Mart, that sell CDs in their music department. Both Target and Wal-Mart must choose whether to charge a high price ($25) or a low price ($15) for the new Miley Cyrus CD.

These price strategies with corresponding profits are depicted in the payoff matrix to the right. Target's payoffs are in red, and Wal-Mart's are in blue.

#### Analysis:
- **Target's Dominant Strategy:** 
  Target's dominant strategy is to pick a price of **$15**.

- **Wal-Mart's Dominant Strategy:** 
  Wal-Mart's dominant strategy is to pick a price of **$15**.

#### Question:
What is the Nash equilibrium for this game?

#### Answer Choices:
- **A.** The Nash equilibrium is for Target to choose a price of $15 and Wal-Mart to choose a price of $25.
- **B.** The Nash equilibrium is for Target to choose a price of $25 and Wal-Mart to choose a price of $15.
- **C.** A Nash equilibrium does not exist for this game.
- **D.** The Nash equilibrium is for Target and Wal-Mart to both choose a price of $15.
- **E.** The Nash equilibrium is for Target and Wal-Mart to both choose a price of $25.

Click to select your answer and then click Check Answer.

---
*Note:* In game theory, a Nash equilibrium occurs when each player's strategy is optimal, given the other player's strategy. Here, both Target and Wal-Mart find it optimal to pick a price of $15, making choice **D** the Nash equilibrium.
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding Nash Equilibrium in a Competitive Market #### Scenario: Consider a market with two firms, Target and Wal-Mart, that sell CDs in their music department. Both Target and Wal-Mart must choose whether to charge a high price ($25) or a low price ($15) for the new Miley Cyrus CD. These price strategies with corresponding profits are depicted in the payoff matrix to the right. Target's payoffs are in red, and Wal-Mart's are in blue. #### Analysis: - **Target's Dominant Strategy:** Target's dominant strategy is to pick a price of **$15**. - **Wal-Mart's Dominant Strategy:** Wal-Mart's dominant strategy is to pick a price of **$15**. #### Question: What is the Nash equilibrium for this game? #### Answer Choices: - **A.** The Nash equilibrium is for Target to choose a price of $15 and Wal-Mart to choose a price of $25. - **B.** The Nash equilibrium is for Target to choose a price of $25 and Wal-Mart to choose a price of $15. - **C.** A Nash equilibrium does not exist for this game. - **D.** The Nash equilibrium is for Target and Wal-Mart to both choose a price of $15. - **E.** The Nash equilibrium is for Target and Wal-Mart to both choose a price of $25. Click to select your answer and then click Check Answer. --- *Note:* In game theory, a Nash equilibrium occurs when each player's strategy is optimal, given the other player's strategy. Here, both Target and Wal-Mart find it optimal to pick a price of $15, making choice **D** the Nash equilibrium.
This image presents a payoff matrix for pricing strategies between Target and Walmart. 

### Payoff Matrix Explanation:

The matrix is a 2x2 grid where each cell represents the profits for Target and Walmart under different pricing scenarios. 

- **Rows** represent Walmart's pricing strategy:
  * Top row: Price = $25
  * Bottom row: Price = $15

- **Columns** represent Target's pricing strategy:
  * Left column: Price = $25
  * Right column: Price = $15

### Payoff Values:

- Each cell contains two payoff values:
  * The first value represents the profit for Target.
  * The second value represents the profit for Walmart.

### Breakdown:

1. **Target Price = $25, Walmart Price = $25**:
   * Both set their prices at $25.
   * Profit for Target: $6,000
   * Profit for Walmart: $6,000

2. **Target Price = $15, Walmart Price = $25**:
   * Target reduces its price to $15 while Walmart keeps it at $25.
   * Profit for Target: $12,000
   * Profit for Walmart: $1,000

3. **Target Price = $25, Walmart Price = $15**:
   * Target keeps its price at $25 while Walmart reduces it to $15.
   * Profit for Target: $1,000
   * Profit for Walmart: $12,000

4. **Target Price = $15, Walmart Price = $15**:
   * Both set their prices at $15.
   * Profit for Target: $3,000
   * Profit for Walmart: $3,000

### Conclusion:
This matrix provides insight into competitive pricing strategies, illustrating how changes in pricing can impact profits for both retailers. The strategic decision-making process can be analyzed, showcasing the interdependence of each company's actions on the other’s financial outcomes.
Transcribed Image Text:This image presents a payoff matrix for pricing strategies between Target and Walmart. ### Payoff Matrix Explanation: The matrix is a 2x2 grid where each cell represents the profits for Target and Walmart under different pricing scenarios. - **Rows** represent Walmart's pricing strategy: * Top row: Price = $25 * Bottom row: Price = $15 - **Columns** represent Target's pricing strategy: * Left column: Price = $25 * Right column: Price = $15 ### Payoff Values: - Each cell contains two payoff values: * The first value represents the profit for Target. * The second value represents the profit for Walmart. ### Breakdown: 1. **Target Price = $25, Walmart Price = $25**: * Both set their prices at $25. * Profit for Target: $6,000 * Profit for Walmart: $6,000 2. **Target Price = $15, Walmart Price = $25**: * Target reduces its price to $15 while Walmart keeps it at $25. * Profit for Target: $12,000 * Profit for Walmart: $1,000 3. **Target Price = $25, Walmart Price = $15**: * Target keeps its price at $25 while Walmart reduces it to $15. * Profit for Target: $1,000 * Profit for Walmart: $12,000 4. **Target Price = $15, Walmart Price = $15**: * Both set their prices at $15. * Profit for Target: $3,000 * Profit for Walmart: $3,000 ### Conclusion: This matrix provides insight into competitive pricing strategies, illustrating how changes in pricing can impact profits for both retailers. The strategic decision-making process can be analyzed, showcasing the interdependence of each company's actions on the other’s financial outcomes.
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