In perfect competition, at a firm’s short-run profit-maximizing output, a. Its marginal revenue equals zero. b. Its average revenue could be greater or less than average cost. c. Its marginal revenue will be falling. d. Both b and c will be true. 2. In perfect competition, at the firm’s short-run profit-maximizing output, which of the following need not be true? a. Marginal revenue equals marginal cost. b. Price equals marginal cost. c. Average revenue equals average cost. d. Average revenue equals marginal revenue. e. All of the above would have to be true. 3. The minimum price at which a firm would produce in the short run is the point at which a. Price equals the minimum point on its marginal cost curve. b. Price equals the minimum point on its average variable cost curve. c. Price equals the minimum point on its average total cost curve. d. Price equals the minimum point on its average fixed cost curve. 4. A profit-maximizing perfectly competitive firm would never operate at an output level at which a. It would lose more than its total fixed costs. b. It was not earning a positive economic profit. c. It was not earning a zero economic profit. d. It was not earning an accounting profit. 5. If a perfectly competitive firm finds that price is greater than AVC but less than ATC at the quantity where its marginal cost equals the market price, a. The firm will produce in the short run but may eventually go out of business. b. The firm will produce in the short run, and new entrants will tend to enter the industry over time. c. The firm will immediately shut down. d. The firm will be earning economic profits. e. Both b and d are true. Use the following diagram to answer questions 6–9. 6. When the market price equals P1, the firm should produce output a. Q1. b. Q2. c. Q3. d. Q4. e. none of the above. 7. When the market price equals P3, the firm should produce output a. Q3, operating at a loss. b. Q4, operating at a loss. c. Q4, earning an economic profit. d. Q5, operating at a loss. e. Q5, earning a normal profit. 8. When the market price equals P4, the firm should produce output a. Q4, operating at a loss. b. Q4, earning an economic profit. c. Q5, operating at a loss. d. Q5, earning a normal profit. e. Q5, earning a positive economic profit. 9. When the market price equals P5, the firm should produce output a. Q5, operating at a loss. b. Q5, earning an economic profit. c. Q6, operating at a loss. d. Q6, earning a normal profit. e. Q6, earning a positive economicprofit.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Here are the correct answers to the questions and a detailed explanation:
Correct Answers
- b. Its average revenue could be greater or less than average cost.
- c. Average revenue equals average cost.
- b. Price equals the minimum point on its average variable cost curve.
- a. It would lose more than its total fixed costs.
- a. The firm will produce in the short run but may eventually go out of business.
- e. None of the above.
- a. Q3, operating at a loss.
- e. Q5, earning a positive economic profit.
- b. Q5, earning an economic profit.
Explanation
1. Profit-maximizing output:
In perfect competition, firms maximize profits where marginal revenue (MR) = marginal cost (MC). Marginal revenue equals price, so average revenue (AR) might be above or below average cost (AC).
2. Necessary conditions for short-run profit maximization:
At equilibrium, MR = MC and price = AR = MR. However, AR does not necessarily equal AC, as the firm could be making profits or losses.
3. Minimum price in the short run:
The shutdown point is where price equals minimum average variable cost (AVC). If price drops below this point, the firm would cease production.
4. Non-optimal output levels:
Operating where losses exceed fixed costs is unsustainable. However, firms may accept short-term losses if price > AVC, allowing partial recovery of fixed costs.
5. Price between AVC and ATC:
In this scenario, the firm covers variable costs and contributes to fixed costs. However, it may shut down in the long run if losses persist.
6–9. Graphical interpretation:
- When price equals P1, the firm does not produce (shutdown point).
- At P3, producing Q3 results in losses since price < ATC but > AVC.
- At P4, the firm earns positive economic profits if price > ATC.
- At P5, producing at Q5 results in profit maximization.
These principles reflect the decision-making process of perfectly competitive firms, balancing short-run sustainability and long-run profitability.