6. Consider a monopolist facing a linear inverse demand curve p(q) = a bg, where q denotes units of output and b > O represents the slope of the inverse demand curve. This rm faces cost function C (q) = F + cg, where F denotes its xed costs (can contain sunk costs), c represents the monopolist s (constant) marginal cost of production and assume a > c 0. a. Find the monopolisť's profit maximizing output and label it gm. Verify if it is positive. b. What is the market price pm and the profit level m? Is the profit level always positive? If not what is the condition for the profit level to be positive? Explain c. Find the absolute value of the price elasticity of demand n Is the elasticity greater than one? Find the markup on price or Lerner index, defined as evaluated at gm as defined in the textbook.

Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
8th Edition
ISBN:9781337091992
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:N. Gregory Mankiw
Chapter14: Monopoly
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 9PA
icon
Related questions
Question
6. Consider a monopolist facing a linear inverse demand curve p(q) = a bg, where q denotes units of output and b >
O represents the slope of the inverse demand curve. This rm faces cost function C (q) = F + cg, where F denotes its
xed costs (can contain sunk costs), c represents the monopolist s (constant) marginal cost of production and assume
a >с 0.
a. Find the monopolist's profit maximizing output and label it
Verify if it is positive.
b. What is the market price pm and the profit level Tm? Is the profit level always positive? If not what is the condition
for the profit level to be positive? Explain
c. Find the absolute value of the price elasticity of demand
Is the elasticity greater than one? Find the markup on price or Lerner index, defined as
p(q)-C'(q)
evaluated at qm as defined in the textbook.
L (q)
p(q)
at gm. What happens with L when n increases? Is it true that "A proft maximizing
monopolist decreases its markup as demand becomes more price elastic. Explain.
d. Find the socially optimal output level q* which is the value that maximizes consumer surplus (price equals
marginal cost). Is it larger or smaller than the profit maximizing output, gm, that you found in part (a)? Is it true
that q* = 2qm? Explain.
e. Illustrate gm and q* in a graph where price is the vertical axis and q is the horizontal axis. Be sure to include the
MR and MC curves as well as the inverse demand curve.
Transcribed Image Text:6. Consider a monopolist facing a linear inverse demand curve p(q) = a bg, where q denotes units of output and b > O represents the slope of the inverse demand curve. This rm faces cost function C (q) = F + cg, where F denotes its xed costs (can contain sunk costs), c represents the monopolist s (constant) marginal cost of production and assume a >с 0. a. Find the monopolist's profit maximizing output and label it Verify if it is positive. b. What is the market price pm and the profit level Tm? Is the profit level always positive? If not what is the condition for the profit level to be positive? Explain c. Find the absolute value of the price elasticity of demand Is the elasticity greater than one? Find the markup on price or Lerner index, defined as p(q)-C'(q) evaluated at qm as defined in the textbook. L (q) p(q) at gm. What happens with L when n increases? Is it true that "A proft maximizing monopolist decreases its markup as demand becomes more price elastic. Explain. d. Find the socially optimal output level q* which is the value that maximizes consumer surplus (price equals marginal cost). Is it larger or smaller than the profit maximizing output, gm, that you found in part (a)? Is it true that q* = 2qm? Explain. e. Illustrate gm and q* in a graph where price is the vertical axis and q is the horizontal axis. Be sure to include the MR and MC curves as well as the inverse demand curve.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Demand Schedule
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781337091992
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Economics
ISBN:
9781305156050
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Microeconomic Theory
Microeconomic Theory
Economics
ISBN:
9781337517942
Author:
NICHOLSON
Publisher:
Cengage
Managerial Economics: Applications, Strategies an…
Managerial Economics: Applications, Strategies an…
Economics
ISBN:
9781305506381
Author:
James R. McGuigan, R. Charles Moyer, Frederick H.deB. Harris
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Micro Economics For Today
Micro Economics For Today
Economics
ISBN:
9781337613064
Author:
Tucker, Irvin B.
Publisher:
Cengage,
Economics For Today
Economics For Today
Economics
ISBN:
9781337613040
Author:
Tucker
Publisher:
Cengage Learning