In: Economics
A steel mill in Canada has inverse demand function p = 100 – q (so its revenue function is given by R = 100q – q2) and cost function is C = 80 + 4q.
a) What is the firm’s output under each of the following three regimes?
i) Profit maximization.
ii) Revenue maximization.
iii) Output maximization subject to nonnegative revenue.
b) If MC = 0, which of the above three regimes (profit-maximizing, revenue-maximizing or output maximizing) is likely to yield higher total surplus (or be closer to competitive equilibrium)? Explain briefly without any calculation.