In: Economics
7. What determines the number of firms in an industry (a) in the short run, (b) in the long run.
For Short Run:
Find out the equilibrium quantity (Q) by setting quantity demanded equal to quantity supplied
For example in a perfectly competitive market, firms will set price P= marginal cost or MC. From this you can calculate the output of each firm(q).
So number of firms = Q /q
So the price/MC and equilibrium quantity decide the number of firms in the short run. This is generally fixed and cannot change or is given.
For Long run:
The long run differs from the short run in two ways:
1. All inputs and fixed costs can be adjusted by the firms .
2. Therecan be change in the number of firms . A loss making firm can exit the market.
Find out the equilibrium quantity (Q) by setting quantity demanded equal to quantity supplied (market clears)
For example in a perfectly competitive market, firms will set price P= average total cost or ATC = marginal cost or MC. From this you can calculate the output of each firm(q).
So number of firms = Q /q
So the price/ATC/MC and equilibrium quantity decide the number of firms in the long run. This can change as now there can be entry or exit of firms.