In: Economics
Assume that the market for Red Onions is perfectly competitive.
The typical firm is earning positive economic profit in the
short-run equilibrium.
(a) Draw a correctly labeled graph for the typical firm,
illustrating the short-run equilibrium and labeling the equilibrium
market price and output PE and QE, respectively.
(b) Assume there is an increase in the market wage rate for labor,
a variable input. Show on your graph in part (a) the effect of the
wage increase on the marginal cost curve in the short run.
(c) Assume that avocado producers hire workers from a perfectly
competitive labor market. Draw a graph of labor supply and demand
for the typical firm and label the supply curve MFC and the demand
curve MRP. Assume the market wage rate increases from w1 to w2.
Show the effect of the wage increase on the graph, labeling the
initial quantity of labor hired QL1 and the new quantity of labor
hired QL2.
a) since firm is earning positive profit, it means that P > ATC at point where P = MC.
Quatntity at E is Qe and Price at E is Pe.
b) Increase in market wage rate for labor will shift the ATC and
the MC curve up. As a result, quantity would decrease and the
profit would decrease. There would be no change in price in the
short term since the firm is a price taker.
c) When market wage rate increases, the MFC curve would shift up. As a result, the quantity of labor hired would decrease.