Microeconomics
Microeconomics
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9781464187025
Author: Austan Goolsbee, Steven Levitt, Chad Syverson
Publisher: Worth Publishers
Question
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Chapter 10, Problem 16P

(a)

To determine

The profit maximizing quantity, profit made and the consumer surplus earned.

(a)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

The average total cost of production of the seller is $0.50. The inverse demand function of the firm is P=2.50.1Q. Since the marginal revenue curve of the monopolist will have the same intercept, the double slope which makes the marginal revenue is MR=2.50.2Q. Thus the profit maximizing quantity can be obtained by equating the marginal revenue with the marginal cost as follows:

MR=MC2.50.2Q=0.500.2Q=2Q=20.2=10

Thus, the profit maximizing quantity is 10. The output can be plugged into the demand function in order to calculate the profit maximizing price as given below:

P=2.50.1Q=2.5(0.1×10)=2.51=1.5

Thus, the profit maximizing price is $1.50. The profit of the firm can be calculated as follows:

Profit=TRTC=(Price×Quantity)(Average cost×Quantity)=(1.50×10)(0.50×10)=155=10

Thus, the total profit made by the firm is $10. This can be illustrated on the graph as follows:

Microeconomics, Chapter 10, Problem 16P , additional homework tip  1

The consumer surplus of the market is the area above the profit maximizing price and below the demand curve which is the area of A. It can be calculated as follows:

Consumer surplus=12×(2.501.50)×10=12×1×10=5

Thus, the consumer surplus of the market is $5.

Economics Concept Introduction

Price discrimination: The price discrimination is the practice of charging different price from different consumers for the exact same commodity on the basis of the quantity bought or by the place or the group of individuals.

(b)

To determine

The discount price of the cupcakes above 10 units.

(b)

Expert Solution
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Explanation of Solution

When the first 10 cupcakes are sold at $1.50 and after that the items are sold at discounted prices. Thus, the new inverse demand function is P=1.50.1Q. Thus, the new marginal revenue curve of the firm will become MR=1.50.2Q. Thus the profit maximizing quantity can be obtained by equating the marginal revenue with the marginal cost as follows:

MR=MC1.50.2Q=0.500.2Q=1Q=10.2=5

Thus, the profit maximizing quantity is 5. The output can be plugged into the demand function in order to calculate the profit maximizing price as follows:

P=1.50.1Q=1.5(0.1×5)=1.50.5=1

Thus, the profit maximizing price is $1.

(c)

To determine

The quantity ordered at full price and discounted price.

(c)

Expert Solution
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Explanation of Solution

The consumers will purchase a total of 10 units at the full price whereas at 5 units at discounted price of $1.

(d)

To determine

The new profit and the comparison with the normal profit.

(d)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

The profit from the normal plan to the seller is $10. After the discounting, the price becomes $1 and the output is 5. Thus, the profit can be calculated as follows:

Profit=10+(TRTC)=10+(Price×Quantity)(Average cost×Quantity)=10+(1×5)(0.50×5)=10+(52.5)=10+2.5=12.5Microeconomics, Chapter 10, Problem 16P , additional homework tip  2

Thus, the profit of the seller increases by $2.5 after the discounted pricing policy is introduced by the seller.

(e)

To determine

The three tire pricing system.

(e)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

The three tire pricing system can be introduced by splitting the total demand curve into four parts. Above the marginal revenue and below the marginal revenue. It can be done as $2.5 for the first 5 units, $1.5 for the next 5 units, $1 for units above 10 units. Thus, the total quantity sold is 15 units. Thus, the total profit of the firm can be calculated as follows:

Profit=TRTC=((Price1Average cost1)×Quantity1+(Price2Average cost2)×Quantity2+...+(PricenAverage costn)×Quantityn)=[(20.5)×5]+[(1.50.5)×5]+[(10.5)×5]=[7.5]+[5]+[2.5]=15

Thus, the total profit earned is $15 which is higher than the two tire pricing in the economy.

(f)

To determine

The tire pricing system that declines from $2.40 to lower.

(f)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

The price for the first unit will be $2.40 and it declines by $0.10 for each additional units sold in the market. When the strategy goes on, the last unit price will be equal to the marginal cost of production which is $0.50. This implies that the total number units sold by the seller will be equal to 20 units and the pricing system followed by the seller will be a 20 tier pricing system. Thus, the total profit earned by the seller can be calculated as follows:

Profit=[(2.400.50)+(2.300.50)+(2.200.50)+(2.100.50)+(2.000.50)+(1.900.50)+(1.800.50)+(1.700.50)+(1.600.50)+(1.500.50)+(1.400.50)+(1.300.50)+(1.200.50)+(1.100.50)+(1.000.50)+(0.900.50)+(0.800.50)+(0.700.50)+(0.600.50)+(0.500.50)]=[1.90+1.80+1.70+1.60+1.50+1.40+1.30+1.20+1.10+1.00+0.90+0.80+0.70+0.60+0.50+0.40+0.30+0.20+0.10]=19

Thus, the total profit earned from the 20 tire pricing system is equal to $19.

(g)

To determine

The impact of 20 tire pricing on consumer surplus.

(g)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

When the 20 tire pricing policy is followed by the firm, it takes most of the consumers' willingness to pay which means the consumer surplus will be taken by the firm. Thus, it means that the complete consumer surplus of the economy would be captured by the firm as producer surplus, and thus there will be no deadweight loss in the economy too.

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