PROBLEM (3) Consider the differentiated goods Bertrand price competition model where firms A and B produce similar goods and sell them at på and pв. The demand for each firm's product is given by qA = 400 - 3pA - 2 pв and qв = 400 - 3p³ - 2pA, and MCA(qA) = ATCA(q) = 40 and MCB(qB) = ATCB(qB) = 40. (a) Are the two goods substitutes or complements? Do the firms want to charge higher prices or lower prices, the higher the opponent's price? (Is the best response price increasing (or decreasing, or neither) in the opponent's price?) Calculate the Bertrand equilibrium prices. (b) Now suppose the firms -instead of competing to maximize their own individual profits- decide to "collude" and charge prices to maximize their joint profits (sum of their profits). What would be each firm's optimal price? Are these prices greater/smaller/the same compared to the prices in (a)?

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**Problem (3): Differentiated Goods Bertrand Price Competition Model**

Consider the differentiated goods Bertrand price competition model where firms A and B produce similar goods and sell them at prices \( p_A \) and \( p_B \). The demand for each firm's product is described by the equations:

- \( q_A = 400 - 3p_A - 2p_B \)
- \( q_B = 400 - 3p_B - 2p_A \)

Additionally, the marginal cost (MC) and average total cost (ATC) for both firms are given as:

- \( MC_A(q_A) = ATC_A(q_A) = 40 \)
- \( MC_B(q_B) = ATC_B(q_B) = 40 \)

**(a)** Are the two goods substitutes or complements? 

- Do the firms want to charge higher or lower prices the higher the opponent’s price? 
- Is the best response price increasing (or decreasing, or neither) in the opponent's price?
- Calculate the Bertrand equilibrium prices.

**(b)** Now suppose the firms, instead of competing to maximize their own individual profits, decide to "collude" and set prices to maximize their joint profits (the sum of their profits). 

- What would be each firm’s optimal price?
- Are these prices greater, smaller, or the same compared to the prices in (a)? 

**Explanation:**

1. **Substitutes or Complements:**
   - Determine whether the goods are substitutes or complements by examining the relationship between the products' demands and prices. 

2. **Best Response Pricing:**
   - Analyze if the reaction functions are increasing or decreasing based on the opponent's pricing strategies.

3. **Bertrand Equilibrium Prices:**
   - Solve the equations to find the equilibrium prices where both firms maximize their profit given the price of the other firm.

4. **Collusion Strategy:**
   - Study the effect of collusion on profit maximization and how it changes the optimal pricing strategy compared to non-collusive behavior.
Transcribed Image Text:**Problem (3): Differentiated Goods Bertrand Price Competition Model** Consider the differentiated goods Bertrand price competition model where firms A and B produce similar goods and sell them at prices \( p_A \) and \( p_B \). The demand for each firm's product is described by the equations: - \( q_A = 400 - 3p_A - 2p_B \) - \( q_B = 400 - 3p_B - 2p_A \) Additionally, the marginal cost (MC) and average total cost (ATC) for both firms are given as: - \( MC_A(q_A) = ATC_A(q_A) = 40 \) - \( MC_B(q_B) = ATC_B(q_B) = 40 \) **(a)** Are the two goods substitutes or complements? - Do the firms want to charge higher or lower prices the higher the opponent’s price? - Is the best response price increasing (or decreasing, or neither) in the opponent's price? - Calculate the Bertrand equilibrium prices. **(b)** Now suppose the firms, instead of competing to maximize their own individual profits, decide to "collude" and set prices to maximize their joint profits (the sum of their profits). - What would be each firm’s optimal price? - Are these prices greater, smaller, or the same compared to the prices in (a)? **Explanation:** 1. **Substitutes or Complements:** - Determine whether the goods are substitutes or complements by examining the relationship between the products' demands and prices. 2. **Best Response Pricing:** - Analyze if the reaction functions are increasing or decreasing based on the opponent's pricing strategies. 3. **Bertrand Equilibrium Prices:** - Solve the equations to find the equilibrium prices where both firms maximize their profit given the price of the other firm. 4. **Collusion Strategy:** - Study the effect of collusion on profit maximization and how it changes the optimal pricing strategy compared to non-collusive behavior.
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