Acme Pharmaceutical Company discovers a vaccine that prevents the common cold and has a patent that grants it a monopoly on this drug. Acme has plants in both the North America and Europe and can manufacture the drug on either continent at a marginal cost of $10. Assume there are no fixed costs. In Europe, the demand for the drug is QE = 70 – Pë, where Që is the quantity demanded when the price in Europe is PE. In North America the demand for the drug is QN 110 – PÑ, where Qʼn is the quantity demanded when the price in North America is PN E N = (a) Determine the aggregate demand function for the combined ma ket. Determine the inverse demand function for the combined market and the inverse demand functions for each of the two mar- kets separately. (b) To begin, assume that it is illegal for the firm to price discriminate, so that it can charge only a single price P on both continents_ What price will it charge, and what profits will it earn?

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Chapter15: Monopoly
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2. Acme Pharmaceutical Company discovers a vaccine that prevents the
common cold and has a patent that grants it a monopoly on this
drug. Acme has plants in both the North America and Europe and
can manufacture the drug on either continent at a marginal cost of
$10. Assume there are no fixed costs. In Europe, the demand for the
drug is QE = 70 - PE, where QE is the quantity demanded when the
price in Europe is PE. In North America the demand for the drug is
QN = 110 - PN, where QN is the quantity demanded when the price
in North America is PN
(a) Determine the aggregate demand function for the combined mar-
ket. Determine the inverse demand function for the combined
market and the inverse demand functions for each of the two mar-
kets separately.
(b) To begin, assume that it is illegal for the firm to price discriminate,
so that it can charge only a single price P on both continents.
What price will it charge, and what profits will it earn?
Transcribed Image Text:2. Acme Pharmaceutical Company discovers a vaccine that prevents the common cold and has a patent that grants it a monopoly on this drug. Acme has plants in both the North America and Europe and can manufacture the drug on either continent at a marginal cost of $10. Assume there are no fixed costs. In Europe, the demand for the drug is QE = 70 - PE, where QE is the quantity demanded when the price in Europe is PE. In North America the demand for the drug is QN = 110 - PN, where QN is the quantity demanded when the price in North America is PN (a) Determine the aggregate demand function for the combined mar- ket. Determine the inverse demand function for the combined market and the inverse demand functions for each of the two mar- kets separately. (b) To begin, assume that it is illegal for the firm to price discriminate, so that it can charge only a single price P on both continents. What price will it charge, and what profits will it earn?
(c) Now say the firm can engage in third-degree price discrimination.
What quantity and price should it set on each continent to maxi-
mize its profit? What profits will it earn?
(d) Calculate total surplus, which is consumer plus producer sur-
plus/profits, under each scenario b) and c). Will total surplus be
higher with price discrimination or without price discrimination?
Will the firm sell the drug on both continents in both scenarios?
Transcribed Image Text:(c) Now say the firm can engage in third-degree price discrimination. What quantity and price should it set on each continent to maxi- mize its profit? What profits will it earn? (d) Calculate total surplus, which is consumer plus producer sur- plus/profits, under each scenario b) and c). Will total surplus be higher with price discrimination or without price discrimination? Will the firm sell the drug on both continents in both scenarios?
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