In: Economics
In this market, price is given by P= 24 - Q/2. Firm 1 moves first, the firm 2. The firms have the cost functions C(q)= q^2.
1. Find the marginal revenue for firm 2.
2. What is the reaciton function for firm 2?
3. Find the marginal revenue for firm 1.
4. What is the equilibrium price and quantity?
P = 24 - 0.5Q = 24 - 0.5q1 - 0.5q2
TC1 = q12, so MC1 = dTC1/dq1 = 2q1
TC2 = q22, so MC2 = dTC2/dq2 = 2q2
(1)
For Firm 2 (Follower),
Total revenue (TR2) = P x q2 = 24q2 - 0.5q1q2 - 0.5q22
Marginal revenue (MR2) = TR2/q2 = 24 - 0.5q1 - q2
(2)
Equating MR2 and MC2,
24 - 0.5q1 - q2 = 2q2
0.5q1 + 3q2 = 24
Multiplying by 2,
q1 + 6q2 = 48 ............(1) (Reaction function, firm 2)
(3)
Firm 1 considers this as known. For Firm 1,
q2 = (48 - q1)/6
TR1 = P x q1 = 24q1 - 0.5q12 - 0.5q1q2
= 24q1 - 0.5q12 - 0.5q1 x [(48 - q1)/6]
= 24q1 - 0.5q12 - q1 x (24 - 0.5q1)/6]
= 24q1 - 0.5q12 - 4q1 + (q12/12)
= 20q1 - (5q12/12)
MR1 = dTR1/dq1 = 20 - (10q1/12)
MR1 = 20 - (5q1/6)
(4)
Equating MR1 and MC1,
20 - (5q1/6) = 2q1
120 - 5q1 = 12q1
17q1 = 120
q1 = 7.06 (considering integer value only for output)
q2 = (48 - 7.06)/6 = 40.94/6 = 6.82
Q = q1 + q2 = 7.06 + 6.82 = 13.88
P = 24 - (0.5 x 13.88) = 24 - 6.94 = 17.06