question archive Only two firms, ABC and XYZ, sell a particular product

Only two firms, ABC and XYZ, sell a particular product

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Only two firms, ABC and XYZ, sell a particular product. The table below shows the demand curve for their product. Each firm has the same constant marginal cost of $8 and zero fixed cost.

 

Price Quantity Total Revenue
28 0 0
26 5 130
24 10 240
22 15 330
20 20 400
18 25 450
16 30 480
14 35 490
12 40 480
10 45 450
8 50 400
6 55 330
4 60 240
2 65 130
0 70 0

 

ABC and XYZ agree to jointly maximize profits. If ABC and XYZ each break the agreement and each produce 5 more than agreed upon, how much less profit does each make?

a. $60

b. $20

c. $5

d. $90

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Choice B is correct. If ABC and XYZ agree to jointly maximize profit, they will produce output that maximizes industry profit. Profit is the difference between total revenue and total cost. Since there are no fixed costs, total costs (TC) are calculated as:

TC=MC×QTC=MC×Q

where MC is marginal cost and Q represents the output.

 

Price Quantity Total Revenue Total Cost Profit=TR-TC
28 0 0 0 0
26 5 130 40 90
24 10 240 80 160
22 15 330 120 210
20 20 400 160 240
18 25 450 200 250
16 30 480 240 240
14 35 490 280 210
12 40 480 320 160
10 45 450 360 90
8 50 400 400 0
6 55 330 440 -110
4 60 240 480 -240
2 65 130 520 -390
0 70 0 560 -560

ABC and XYZ agree to produce 25 units and share the maximum profit of $250. If ABC and XYZ each break the agreement and each produce 5 more than agreed upon, the total industry output will be 35 (=25+5+5). At 35 units, industry profit is $210. total profits are reduced by $40. Each firm will make $20 less profit.