The following graph gives the demand (D) curve for water services in the fictional town of Streamship Springs. The graph also shows the marginal revenue (MR) curve, the marginal cost (MC) curve, and the average total cost (ATC) curve for the local water company, a natural monopolist. On the following graph, use the black point (plus symbol) to indicate the profit-maximizing price and quantity for this natural monopolist. PRICE (Dollars p 40 36 32 28 24 20 16 0 0 1 O True 2 3 5 6 7 8 QUANTITY (Hundreds of cubic feet) MR 4 O False ATC MC 9 10 D Monopoly Outcome Which of the following statements are true about this natural monopoly? Check all that apply. ? The water company is experiencing economies of scale. The water company must own a scarce resource. It is more efficient on the cost side for one producer to exist in this market rather than a large number of producers. In order for a monopoly to exist in this case, the government must have intervened and created it. True or False: Without government regulation, natural monopolies always earn zero profit in the long run.

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### Analysis of a Natural Monopoly: Streamship Springs

The graph illustrates the demand (D) curve for water services in the fictional town of Streamship Springs. It also displays the marginal revenue (MR) curve, the marginal cost (MC) curve, and the average total cost (ATC) curve for the local water company, which functions as a natural monopolist.

#### Graph Description:
- **Axes:** 
  - The x-axis represents the quantity of water in hundreds of cubic feet.
  - The y-axis represents the price in dollars per hundred cubic feet.
  
- **Curves:**
  - **Demand (D) Curve:** A downward-sloping blue line, indicating the relationship between quantity and price.
  - **Marginal Revenue (MR) Curve:** A downward-sloping black line that starts at the same point on the y-axis as the demand curve but declines more steeply.
  - **Marginal Cost (MC) Curve:** A horizontal orange line at a price level slightly above zero, indicating constant marginal costs.
  - **Average Total Cost (ATC) Curve:** A U-shaped green curve that initially declines and then rises, intersecting the MC curve below the demand curve.

- **Monopoly Outcome:** 
  - The profit-maximizing quantity and price are marked by a black plus symbol on the graph.

#### Natural Monopoly Characteristics:
1. **Economies of Scale:** 
   - This scenario likely demonstrates economies of scale, as one producer (the monopolist) can serve the market more efficiently than multiple producers might.

2. **Ownership of Scarce Resource:** 
   - There is no mention that the water company owns a scarce resource.

3. **Cost Efficiency of a Single Producer:** 
   - It is more cost-efficient for a single producer to exist in this market, rather than having a large number of producers, as illustrated by the ATC curve being below the demand curve for a wide range of outputs.

4. **Government Intervention:**
   - The scenario does not explicitly state government intervention to create the monopoly.

#### True or False Statement:
- **Without government regulation, natural monopolies always earn zero profit in the long run.**
  - Typically, this statement is false. Natural monopolies can earn positive profits without regulation because their pricing can exceed ATC at the monopoly quantity.

This analysis provides an understanding of how natural monopolies operate within a controlled market environment, examining cost structures and market dynamics in Streamship
Transcribed Image Text:### Analysis of a Natural Monopoly: Streamship Springs The graph illustrates the demand (D) curve for water services in the fictional town of Streamship Springs. It also displays the marginal revenue (MR) curve, the marginal cost (MC) curve, and the average total cost (ATC) curve for the local water company, which functions as a natural monopolist. #### Graph Description: - **Axes:** - The x-axis represents the quantity of water in hundreds of cubic feet. - The y-axis represents the price in dollars per hundred cubic feet. - **Curves:** - **Demand (D) Curve:** A downward-sloping blue line, indicating the relationship between quantity and price. - **Marginal Revenue (MR) Curve:** A downward-sloping black line that starts at the same point on the y-axis as the demand curve but declines more steeply. - **Marginal Cost (MC) Curve:** A horizontal orange line at a price level slightly above zero, indicating constant marginal costs. - **Average Total Cost (ATC) Curve:** A U-shaped green curve that initially declines and then rises, intersecting the MC curve below the demand curve. - **Monopoly Outcome:** - The profit-maximizing quantity and price are marked by a black plus symbol on the graph. #### Natural Monopoly Characteristics: 1. **Economies of Scale:** - This scenario likely demonstrates economies of scale, as one producer (the monopolist) can serve the market more efficiently than multiple producers might. 2. **Ownership of Scarce Resource:** - There is no mention that the water company owns a scarce resource. 3. **Cost Efficiency of a Single Producer:** - It is more cost-efficient for a single producer to exist in this market, rather than having a large number of producers, as illustrated by the ATC curve being below the demand curve for a wide range of outputs. 4. **Government Intervention:** - The scenario does not explicitly state government intervention to create the monopoly. #### True or False Statement: - **Without government regulation, natural monopolies always earn zero profit in the long run.** - Typically, this statement is false. Natural monopolies can earn positive profits without regulation because their pricing can exceed ATC at the monopoly quantity. This analysis provides an understanding of how natural monopolies operate within a controlled market environment, examining cost structures and market dynamics in Streamship
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