Microeconomics: Principles, Problems, & Policies (McGraw-Hill Series in Economics)
Microeconomics: Principles, Problems, & Policies (McGraw-Hill Series in Economics)
20th Edition
ISBN: 9780077660819
Author: Campbell R. McConnell, Stanley L. Brue, Sean Masaki Flynn Dr.
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
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Chapter 12, Problem 1DQ
To determine

The monopoly and price elasticity of a demand.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

We could possibly say that the mentioned statement is true. There is pure monopoly which is nonexistent. Let us say, that if you need to send a letter, then the only option we think of is the postal service. But in case, the postal service increases the charges of delivering a letter to the adjacent town, to two days by $15, then we will look for alternate options like using a courier, phone or fax the letter. But within the conscious limits, even if the rates are doubled, we have no substitute that can live up to the mark of a postal service, that too at a commensurate rate.

The same can be explained about pure monopoly, when we consider local electricity provider companies in any given town. If you need electricity for lights, fans, etc you can deal only with a sole company. So, it enjoys pure monopoly, even though other sources of energy like oil or kerosene are used for the basic purposes like heating or for the lights, but these are never going to be a convenient option for end users.

The idea of cross elasticity of the demand is used to gauge the presence of alternatives for the commodity of a monopoly company.  In case, the cross elasticity of the demand is higher than one, then the demand faced by that monopoly is elastic with respect to the alternate commodities, and the company will have lesser control over price of the commodity, than if the cross elasticity of the demand were inelastic.  In other words, the monopoly faces contest from the producers of alternative commodities.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept Introduction:

Cross elasticity of demand: Cross price elasticity refers to the percentage change in the demand for goods and services due to the change occurred in the price of other related goods.

Monopoly: It is a market situation, in which only one producer or seller exists in the market. There is a restriction in the entry to the business.

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Tasks Exercise 1 Assess the following functions: 1. f(x)= x2+6x+2 2.f '(x)=10x-2x2+5 a. Find the stationary points. (5 marks) b. Determine whether the stationary point is a maximum or minimum. (5 marks) c. Draw the corresponding curves (5 marks)
Problem 2: The sales data over the last 10 years for the Acme Hardware Store are as follows: 2003 $230,000 2008 $526,000 2004 276,000 2009 605,000 2005 328,000 2010 690,000 2006 388,000 2011 779,000 2007 453,000 2012 873,000 1. Calculate the compound growth rate for the period of 2003 to 2012. 2. Based on your answer to part a, forecast sales for both 2013 and 2014. 3. Now calculate the compound growth rate for the period of 2007 to 2012. 1. Based on your answer to part e, forecast sales for both 2013 and 2014. 5. What is the major reason for the differences in your answers to parts b and d? If you were to make your own projections, what would you forecast? (Drawing a graph is very helpful.)
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