Perfect Competition Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature of perfect competition?

  • Significant barriers to entry (correct)
  • Large number of buyers and sellers
  • Homogeneous products
  • Free entry and exit

In the short run, a firm continues to operate if:

  • P < ATC
  • P > AVC (correct)
  • P = ATC
  • P < AVC

The long-run equilibrium in perfect competition is characterized by:

  • P = MC = MR
  • P = ATC
  • Zero economic profit
  • All of the above (correct)

A monopoly is a market structure where:

<p>There is only one seller (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The demand curve for a monopolist is:

<p>Downward sloping (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Profit maximization for a monopolist occurs when:

<p>MR = MC (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Price discrimination occurs when a monopolist:

<p>Charges different prices to different buyers based on willingness to pay (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a perfectly competitive market, how is the price determined?

<p>By the industry supply and demand (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Compared to perfect competition, a monopolist produces:

<p>Less output at a higher price (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What shape does a perfectly competitive firm's demand curve take?

<p>Horizontal at market price (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When should a perfectly competitive firm shut down its operations?

<p>When price falls below average variable cost (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding economic profit in the long run for perfectly competitive firms?

<p>Firms will earn zero economic profit (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What leads to a perfectly competitive firm maximizing profit?

<p>When marginal cost equals marginal revenue (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when new firms enter a perfectly competitive market?

<p>Prices decrease leading to lower profits (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is total revenue calculated for a perfectly competitive firm?

<p>Price multiplied by quantity sold (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do sunk costs refer to in economic terms?

<p>Costs that have already been incurred and cannot be recovered (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Monopoly

A market structure with only one seller and no close substitutes for the good or service.

Demand Curve for a Monopolist

The demand curve for a monopolist slopes downwards because it is the same as the market demand.

Marginal Revenue (MR) for a Monopolist

The additional revenue earned from selling one more unit of output. It is always less than the price for a monopolist.

Profit Maximization for a Monopolist

The point where Marginal Revenue (MR) equals Marginal Cost (MC) for a monopolist, maximizing their profit.

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Barriers to Entry in a Monopoly

Factors that hinder the entry of new firms into a market, giving a monopolist the power to charge higher prices.

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Welfare Cost of Monopoly

The loss of total welfare (consumer and producer surplus) resulting from a monopolist's underproduction.

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Price Discrimination

A monopolist charging different prices to different customers based on their willingness to pay.

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Natural Monopoly

A market where a single firm can produce the entire output at a lower cost than multiple firms.

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Price Determination in Perfect Competition

In a perfectly competitive market, the price of a good or service is determined by the interaction of industry-wide supply and demand forces, not individual firms.

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Demand Curve in Perfect Competition

The demand curve for a perfectly competitive firm is horizontal at the market price. This means that the firm can sell any quantity at the prevailing market price.

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Total Revenue in Perfect Competition

Total revenue for a perfectly competitive firm is calculated by multiplying the price per unit by the quantity sold. It can also be calculated by multiplying average revenue by quantity sold.

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Marginal Revenue in Perfect Competition

In perfect competition, marginal revenue is equal to the price of the good or service. This is because the firm can sell any quantity at the market price.

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Economic Profit

Economic profit is the difference between total revenue and all costs, including explicit costs (e.g., wages, rent) and implicit costs (e.g., opportunity cost of the owner's time).

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Accounting Profit

Accounting profit only considers explicit costs, such as wages, rent, and materials. It does not include implicit costs (opportunity cost of resources) which is why it is always higher than economic profit.

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Sunk Costs

Sunk costs are those that cannot be recovered, such as money spent on specialized equipment that can't be resold. These costs should be ignored in decision-making as they are irrelevant to the future.

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Profit Maximization in Perfect Competition

A perfectly competitive firm maximizes profit when its marginal cost (MC) is equal to its marginal revenue (MR). This is because producing any more units would result in higher costs than revenue.

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Study Notes

Perfect Competition

  • Price Determination: The industry's supply and demand determine the price. Firms in perfect competition are price takers.
  • Demand Curve: A perfectly competitive firm's demand curve is horizontal at the market price.
  • Total Revenue (TR): Calculated as Price × Quantity or Average Revenue × Quantity.
  • Marginal Revenue (MR): Equal to price.
  • Economic Profit: Total revenue minus explicit and implicit costs.
  • Accounting Profit: Excludes implicit costs.
  • Sunk Costs: Costs that cannot be recovered.
  • Profit Maximization: Occurs when marginal cost (MC) equals marginal revenue (MR).
  • Shutdown Point: If price falls below average variable cost (AVC), a firm should shut down immediately.
  • Long-Run Equilibrium: Firms earn zero economic profit in the long run.
  • Short-Run Supply Curve: A perfectly competitive firm's short-run supply curve is its marginal cost curve above the average variable cost (AVC).
  • Market Entry: New firms entering a perfectly competitive market increases supply and drives down prices, leading to zero economic profit in the long term.
  • Characteristics: Homogeneous products, free entry and exit, large number of buyers and sellers.
  • Short Run Operation: A firm continues to operate in the short run if price (P) is greater than average variable cost (AVC).
  • Long Run Characteristics: A long-run equilibrium in perfect competition is characterized by P=MC=MR, P=ATC, and zero economic profit.

Monopoly

  • Market Structure: A single seller exists in the market.
  • Demand Curve: Downward sloping, meaning the firm has market power to influence price.
  • Marginal Revenue (MR): Less than price.
  • Profit Maximization: Occurs when marginal revenue (MR) equals marginal cost (MC).
  • Barriers to Entry: Economies of scale, legal restrictions, and high startup costs.
  • Welfare Cost: Monopoly leads to underproduction compared to perfect competition, resulting in a deadweight loss.
  • Price Discrimination: Charging different prices to different buyers based on willingness to pay.
  • Natural Monopoly: Economies of scale dominate production.
  • Output Compared to Perfect Competition: Monopolies produce less output and charge a higher price compared to perfectly competitive markets.
  • Deadweight Loss: A reduction in overall economic welfare caused by underproduction in a monopoly.

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