Even though fixed costs do not affect the output decision, an increase in fixed costs results in a wider range of prices for which the firm operates at a loss. Indicate whether the statement is true or false ANSWER True . An increase in fixed costs will shift AC upward but leave AVC unchanged. […]
If a firm traded on the New York Stock Exchange posts an accounting profit of $10 million, then the firm is making a positive economic profit A) only if the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approves the accounting report. B) only if the firm’s opportunity cost is less than $10 million. C) only if the […]
Suppose there are 20 competitive firms in a market. The supply curve of each firm is q = 2p. The market demand is Q = 200 – 2p. What is the residual demand curve facing a typical firm? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER The residual demand curve is equal to the market […]
If a profit-maximizing firm finds that, at its current level of production, MR < MC, it will A) decrease output. B) increase output. C) shut down. D) operate at a loss. ANSWER A
If a firm sets marginal revenue equal to marginal cost, it will make an economic profit. Indicate whether the statement is true or false ANSWER False. When a firm sets MR=MC it maximizes profits but the profit-maximizing level of output might still be negative (the smallest loss possible).
Suppose a monopolist has TC = 40 + 10Q + Q2, and the demand curve it faces is p = 130 – 2Q. What is the Lerner index of this profit-maximizing monopolist? A) 0.222 B) 0.35 C) 0.444 D) 0.50 ANSWER C
If a firm goes out of business because of negative economic profits, its books A) might indicate a positive accounting profit. B) might indicate that opportunity costs were zero. C) might indicate that taxes are too high. D) might suggest a mistaken value of explicit costs. ANSWER A
If a competitive firm maximizes short-run profits by producing some quantity of output, which of the following must be TRUE at that level of output? A) p > MC B) MR > MC C) p ¥ AVC D) All of the above. ANSWER C
The Lerner Index is derived from the profit-maximizing condition of a firm. Indicate whether the statement is true or false ANSWER True . Start out with MR = MC, realize that MR = P(1 + 1/e), and solve.
The introduction of satellite television systems would cause the demand curve for cable television to be A) more elastic. B) less elastic. C) perfectly inelastic. D) unchanged. ANSWER A