In: Economics
A monopolist faces a demand curve of the form: P = 610 – 0.01Q. The total cost for this monopolist is TC = 2,000,000 + 10Q. Assume there are no externalities of production or consumption of this monopolist’s product.
a) Suppose this monopolist cannot price discriminate. Explain why this monopolist will not produce an output greater than 30,000 units.
b) Draw a diagram to illustrate this monopolist’s situation. Show the demand, marginal revenue and marginal cost curves, and the profit maximizing price and quantity from part (a).
a)
Given
P=610-0.01Q
Total Revenue=TR=P*Q=610Q-0.01Q^2
Marginal Revenue=MR=dTR/dQ=610-0.02Q
Total Cost=TC=200000+10Q
Marginal Cost=MC=dTC/dQ=10
Set MR=MC for profit maximization
610-0.02Q=10
0.02Q=600
Q=30000 units
Profit maximizing output is 30000 units.
If monopolist produces more than 30000 units say 30001 units,
Marginal Revenue=MR=610-0.02*30001=9.98
It means that MR is less than MC at this output level. It shows that net addition to profit (MR-MC) will be negative on the production of 30001th unit. So, monopolist will not produce any output more than 30000.
b)
Q | MR | MC | P |
0 | 610 | 10 | 610 |
10000 | 410 | 10 | 510 |
15000 | 310 | 10 | 460 |
20000 | 210 | 10 | 410 |
25000 | 110 | 10 | 360 |
30000 | 10 | 10 | 310 |
30500 | 0 | 10 | 305 |