use the following graph which illustrates the cost and demand for a firm competing in a monopolistically competitive market.

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN:9780190931919
Author:NEWNAN
Publisher:NEWNAN
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
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**Understanding Cost and Demand in a Monopolistically Competitive Market**

The following graph illustrates the cost and demand for a firm competing in a monopolistically competitive market. The key elements represented in the graph include:

- **Demand Curve (D):** This downward-sloping curve shows the relationship between price and the quantity demanded by consumers.
- **Marginal Revenue Curve (MR):** This curve represents the additional revenue the firm earns by selling one more unit of output.
- **Marginal Cost Curve (MC):** This upward-sloping curve shows the cost of producing one additional unit of output.
- **Average Total Cost Curve (ATC):** This curve shows the per-unit cost of production for different levels of output.

### Key Points on the Graph:

- **P1, P2, P3, P4:** Different price levels.
- **Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4:** Different quantities that can be produced and sold.

### Profit Maximization:

To determine the profit-maximizing output for the monopolistic competitor:

- The profit-maximizing level of output is where the Marginal Cost (MC) curve intersects the Marginal Revenue (MR) curve. At this quantity, the cost of producing an additional unit of output equals the revenue generated from that unit.
- In the graph, the MC curve intersects the MR curve at quantity **Q3**.

Thus, the profit-maximizing output for the monopolistic competitor is **Q3**.

### Summary:
What is the profit-maximizing output for the monopolistic competitor?  
**Answer: Q3**

By understanding these principles, students can better analyze and interpret the behavior of firms in a monopolistically competitive market.
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding Cost and Demand in a Monopolistically Competitive Market** The following graph illustrates the cost and demand for a firm competing in a monopolistically competitive market. The key elements represented in the graph include: - **Demand Curve (D):** This downward-sloping curve shows the relationship between price and the quantity demanded by consumers. - **Marginal Revenue Curve (MR):** This curve represents the additional revenue the firm earns by selling one more unit of output. - **Marginal Cost Curve (MC):** This upward-sloping curve shows the cost of producing one additional unit of output. - **Average Total Cost Curve (ATC):** This curve shows the per-unit cost of production for different levels of output. ### Key Points on the Graph: - **P1, P2, P3, P4:** Different price levels. - **Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4:** Different quantities that can be produced and sold. ### Profit Maximization: To determine the profit-maximizing output for the monopolistic competitor: - The profit-maximizing level of output is where the Marginal Cost (MC) curve intersects the Marginal Revenue (MR) curve. At this quantity, the cost of producing an additional unit of output equals the revenue generated from that unit. - In the graph, the MC curve intersects the MR curve at quantity **Q3**. Thus, the profit-maximizing output for the monopolistic competitor is **Q3**. ### Summary: What is the profit-maximizing output for the monopolistic competitor? **Answer: Q3** By understanding these principles, students can better analyze and interpret the behavior of firms in a monopolistically competitive market.
### Understanding Monopolistic Competition

#### Question 14:
**In the graph above, what price will the monopolistic competitor charge?**

- P3 (Selected)
- P2
- P4
- P1

#### Question 15:
**In the graph above, what will most likely occur to the demand for this firm in the long run?**

- This firm is making positive economic profit, so new firms enter the market causing the demand to decrease and become more elastic.
- This firm is suffering economic losses, so firms will exit the market causing the demand to increase and become more inelastic.
- This firm is making positive economic profit, so new firms enter the market causing the demand to increase and become more inelastic.
- This firm is making zero economic profit, so no firms exit or enter the market, and demand will not change.

### Analysis and Explanation:

Let's analyze each part of the question to understand the context.

#### Interpreting the Graph:
- **Price Selection:**
  - The question asks about the price a monopolistic competitor will charge. The selected option is **P3**, which implies that this is the profit-maximizing or equilibrium price as per the graph's indication.

- **Demand Changes in the Long Run:**
  - Different scenarios are proposed that affect the firm’s demand curve based on economic conditions and market entry or exit.
  - Since **P3** is selected, it implies a scenario where the firm is likely making a certain kind of profit or facing losses.

  __Possible Long-Run Changes in Demand:__
  - If **positive economic profits** are being made:
    - **New firms enter** the market, increasing competition.
    - This reduces the demand for individual firms and makes the demand curve more **elastic** as consumers have more substitutes.
  - If the firm is facing **economic losses**:
    - **Firms exit** the market, reducing competition.
    - This increases the demand for remaining firms, potentially making the demand curve more **inelastic**.
  - **Zero economic profit**:
    - No significant exit or entry of firms, hence demand remains relatively unchanged.

By selecting these specific options, learners can effectively deduce understanding about how monopolistic competitors determine pricing strategies and predict market behavior over time.
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding Monopolistic Competition #### Question 14: **In the graph above, what price will the monopolistic competitor charge?** - P3 (Selected) - P2 - P4 - P1 #### Question 15: **In the graph above, what will most likely occur to the demand for this firm in the long run?** - This firm is making positive economic profit, so new firms enter the market causing the demand to decrease and become more elastic. - This firm is suffering economic losses, so firms will exit the market causing the demand to increase and become more inelastic. - This firm is making positive economic profit, so new firms enter the market causing the demand to increase and become more inelastic. - This firm is making zero economic profit, so no firms exit or enter the market, and demand will not change. ### Analysis and Explanation: Let's analyze each part of the question to understand the context. #### Interpreting the Graph: - **Price Selection:** - The question asks about the price a monopolistic competitor will charge. The selected option is **P3**, which implies that this is the profit-maximizing or equilibrium price as per the graph's indication. - **Demand Changes in the Long Run:** - Different scenarios are proposed that affect the firm’s demand curve based on economic conditions and market entry or exit. - Since **P3** is selected, it implies a scenario where the firm is likely making a certain kind of profit or facing losses. __Possible Long-Run Changes in Demand:__ - If **positive economic profits** are being made: - **New firms enter** the market, increasing competition. - This reduces the demand for individual firms and makes the demand curve more **elastic** as consumers have more substitutes. - If the firm is facing **economic losses**: - **Firms exit** the market, reducing competition. - This increases the demand for remaining firms, potentially making the demand curve more **inelastic**. - **Zero economic profit**: - No significant exit or entry of firms, hence demand remains relatively unchanged. By selecting these specific options, learners can effectively deduce understanding about how monopolistic competitors determine pricing strategies and predict market behavior over time.
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