In: Economics
Monopco is a monopolist in the market for widgets, Q. The market demand curve for widgets is given by p=24-Q, and its marginal revenue curve is MR=24-2Q. It also has average total cost curve ATC=Q and marginal cost curve MC=2Q. (a)Draw an accurate diagram showing Monopco’s D, MR, MC and ATC curves. (b) Find how many widgets Monopco produces, and the price it charges per widget. Compare these to the “efficient” price and quantity. (c) Calculate the profits earned by Monopco, the consumers’ surplus to buyers and the DWL created in the market. Show these areas on your diagram from (a). (d) Suppose for some reason Monopco lowered its price by $2. a. Using the midpoint method, calculate the price elasticity of demand for the drop in price from the monopoly-price to the one $2 lower. b. Show that total revenue must rise if it drops its price. Explain in words how this revenue increase is related to demand elasticity.