In: Economics
Suppose that demand and supply for a competitive market are as follows:
Qd = 320 - P and Qs = -40 + 2P
What would be the price and output combination that would result if firms in this market merged together to become a profit maximizing monopolist? By how much would the price change from the competitive level?
When the market is competitive, the equilibrium is at the point where,
Qd = Qs
320 - P = -40 + 2P
3P = 320 + 40 = 360
P = 360 / 3 = $120
Thus, the competitive market price is $120.
When the market becomes monopoly:
Q = 320 - P
P = 320 - Q [This is inverse demand function]
TR = P * Q = 320Q - Q2
MR = 320 - 2Q
Then, the supply function is,
Q = -40 + 2P
2P = 40 + Q
P = 20 + 0.5Q = MC [ This is inverse supply function and it is also called MC function]
The monopoly profit maximizing condition is,
MR = MC
320 - 2Q = 20 + 0.5Q
2.5Q = 320 - 20 = 300
Q = 300 / 2.5 = 120
P = 320 - Q = 320 - 120 = $200
Thus, the competitive market price is $200.
It means the price increases by $80 (i.e., $200 - $120) from the competitive level.