PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (OER)
PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (OER)
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9781947172340
Author: Timothy Taylor, Steven A. Greenlaw
Publisher: OpenStax
Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 8, Problem 1SCQ

Firms ill a perfectly competitive market are said to be “price takers” that is, once the market determines an equilibrium price for the product, firms must accept this price. If you sell a product in a perfectly competitive market, but you are not happy with its price, would you raise the price, even by a cent?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
To determine

Why all the firms are considered as price takers in a perfectly competitive market.

Explanation of Solution

Market equilibrium in a perfectly competitive market is attained with the forces of demand and supply. When the price is too high, the demand falls and when the demand falls, only a price fall will lead to increase in demand for the market to fix itself. All the firms are considered to be “price takers” because, all the buyers and sellers have all the information there is and as there are a large number of buyers and sellers dealing with homogeneous products, there will not be a single firm that can influence the price. If a firm increases the price, the buyers know that there are other sellers selling at a lower price and the firm that increased the price will have no buyers at all.

If you are a seller in a perfectly competitive market, and you are unhappy with the price, you would not raise the price, not even by a cent because you will know that if you increase the price even by a cent, all the buyers will shift to the other sellers as they know that they will be getting the exact same product at a lower cost.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Perfect Competition- It refers to that market condition where there are a large number of buyers and sellers, who have perfect knowledge about the market, and there is existence of homogeneity in the commodities and all the firms are price takers.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Firms in a perfectly competitive market are said to be “price takers”—that is, once the market determines an equilibrium price for the product, firms must accept this price. If you sell a product in a perfectly competitive market, but you are not happy with its price, would you raise the price, even by a cent?
Firms in a perfectly competitive market are said to be "price takers" - that is, once the market determines an equilibrium price for the product, firms must accept this price.   If you sell a product in a perfect competitive market, but you are not happy with its price, would you raise the price, even by a cent?
Will a profit-maximizing firm in a competitive market ever produce a positive level of output in the range where the marginal cost is falling? Give an explanation.

Chapter 8 Solutions

PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (OER)

Ch. 8 - A single firm in a perfectly competitive market is...Ch. 8 - What are the four basic assumptions of perfect...Ch. 8 - What is a price taker firm?Ch. 8 - How does a perfectly competitive firm decide what...Ch. 8 - What prevents a perfectly competitive firm from...Ch. 8 - How does a perfectly competitive film calculate...Ch. 8 - Briefly explain the reason for the shape of a...Ch. 8 - What two rules does a perfectly competitive firm...Ch. 8 - How does the average cost curve help to show...Ch. 8 - What two lines on a cost curve diagram intersect...Ch. 8 - Should a firm shut down immediately if it is...Ch. 8 - How does the average variable cost curve help a...Ch. 8 - What two lines on a cost curve diagram intersect...Ch. 8 - Why does entry occur?Ch. 8 - Why does exit occur?Ch. 8 - Do entry and exit occur in the short run, the long...Ch. 8 - What price will a perfectly competitive firm end...Ch. 8 - Will a perfectly competitive market display...Ch. 8 - Will a perfectly competitive market display...Ch. 8 - Finding a life partner is a complicated process...Ch. 8 - Can you name five examples of perfectly...Ch. 8 - Your company operates in a perfectly competitive...Ch. 8 - Since a perfectly competitive firm can sell as...Ch. 8 - Many films in the United States file for...Ch. 8 - Why will profits for films in a perfectly...Ch. 8 - Why will losses for firms in a perfectly...Ch. 8 - Assuming that the market for cigarettes is in...Ch. 8 - In the argument for why perfect competition is...Ch. 8 - The AAA Aquarium Co. sells aquariums for 20 each....Ch. 8 - Perfectly competitive firm Doggies Paradise Inc....Ch. 8 - A computer company produces affordable,...
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:9781337617383
Author:Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Microeconomics
Economics
ISBN:9781337617406
Author:Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
EBK HEALTH ECONOMICS AND POLICY
Economics
ISBN:9781337668279
Author:Henderson
Publisher:YUZU
Text book image
Principles of Microeconomics
Economics
ISBN:9781305156050
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:9781337091992
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:9781305585126
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:Cengage Learning