In: Economics
Consider an industry with n identical firms competing a l´a Cournot. Demand is P(Q) = 1 − Q, and each firm’s total cost function is T C(qi) = cqi . (a) Find the limit of the total equilibrium output Q∗ (n) as n goes to infinity. (b) Suppose that n > 3 and 3 firms decide to merge. The new firm has the same total cost function as its predecessors. What is the condition on n that ensures that the merger is profitable?