In: Economics
4. Assume a monopoly faces an inverse demand function of p = 150 - 3Q, and has a constant marginal and average cost of 30.
a. If the monopolist can perfectly discriminate, what is its profit, consumer surplus and total surplus, and what is the deadweight loss of monopoly?
b. If the firm is a single-price monopolist, what is its profit, consumer surplus and total surplus, and what is the deadweight loss of monopoly?
a) when there is perfect price discrimination the demand curve intersects the marginal cost curve which determine the lowest price offered and the total quantity served. This is because each consumer is charged his or her reservation prices
P = MC
150 - 3Q = 30
Q = 120/3 = 40 units
Consumer surplus = 0
Producer surplus = Profit = 0.5*(150 - 30)*40 = $2400
Total surplus = $2400
DWL = $0
b) Now MR = MC will determine the profit maximizing level of output
150 - 6Q = 30
Q = 120/6 = 20 units
Price P = 150 - 3*20 = $90
Consumer surplus = 0.5*(150 - 90)*20 = $600
Producer surplus = Profit = (90-30)*20 = $1200
Total surplus = 900 + 1200 = $2100
DWL = 0.5*(90-30)*(40-20) = $600