In: Economics
Firms in the market for soccer balls are selling in a purely competitive market. A firm in the soccer ball market has an output of 1,000 balls, which it sells for $9 each. At the output level of 1,000, the average variable cost is $8, the average total cost is $11.00, and the marginal cost is $9.
1. What would you expect the firm to do in the short run? in the long run?
Ans:
The firm will continue the production in the short run.
The firm will exit from the production in the long run.
Explanation:
Market price = $9
AVC = $8
ATC = $11.00
Total output = 1,000 balls
Total revenue = Price * Quantity = $9 * 1000 = $9000
Total cost = ATC * Quantity = $11.00 * 1000 = $11,000
Profit / Loss = Total revenue - Total cost = $9000 - $11,000 = - $2000 ( loss)
In the above scenario , the firm is making negative economic profit or loss . But the firm will continue its production becuase it is able to recover total variable costs and some parts of fixed costs . Here , P > AVC.
But in the long run , the loss making firm will exit from the market.