Lesson 2.1 Flashcards
what does market structure affect and how do we define markets?
affects pricing power of firm so we define markets based on their degree of pricing power
5 factors market structure is determined by?
of firms present, type of product being sold, pricing power of firm, barriers to entry, nonprice competition
4 main types of markets
perfect competition, monopolistic competition, monopoly, oligopoly
of firms present, type of product being sold, pricing power of firm, barriers to entry, nonprice competition, examples of Perfect Competition Market
many # of firms present; standardized product, no power over price, low barrier to entry, no nonprice competition, ex. some agricultural sectors
of firms present, type of product being sold, pricing power of firm, barriers to entry, nonprice competition, examples of Monopolistic Competition market
many # of firms present, differentiated product, some power over price, low barrier to entry, nonprice competition: advertising and product differentiation, example: retail trade
of firms present, type of product being sold, pricing power of firm, barriers to entry, nonprice competition, examples of oligopoly market
few # of firms present; standardized or differentiated product, some power over price, high barriers to entry, nonprice competition: advertising and product differentiation, example: computers, oil, steel
of firms present, type of product being sold, pricing power of firm, barriers to entry, nonprice competition, examples of monopoly market
one firm present, unique product, considerable power over price, very high barriers to entry, nonprice competition: advertising, example; public utilities
how do firms in the absence of market power maximize profit?
they cannot influence demand through advertising or product differentiation so they maximize profit by minimizing cost, through the efficient use of resources and by determining the quantity to produce
how is market price determined in perfect competition
intersection of supply and demand
demand curve of individual firms in perfect competition and why?
horizontal demand curve - if one firm alters output, there will be virtually no effect on market price
what is one factor that causes supply to increase?
advanced in tech
what is one factor that causes supply to decrease?
increased input prices
where is profit maximized?
vertical largest distance between TR and TC, where TR - TC is largest, where MR/P = MC, with MC increasing
what happens when MR > MC
revenue from addition unit is greater than MC so firm should increase production
what happens when MR < MC
revenue from additional unit is less than MC so firm should decrease production
MR curve graph explained with dollars/unit output and output
horizontal (firm demand curve)
will a firm in perfect competition market earn positive profit where P = MC?
not necessarily
MRP definition
amount of an additional unit of variable input adds to firm’s TR
Marginal Expenditure definition
amount of an additional unit of labour adds to firm’s TC
formula for MRP
dTR / dL = MR * MP
formula for ME
dTC / dL = MC * MP
where are profits maximized with MRP and ME
where MRP = ME OR where P = Price of variable / MP variable
when should a firm produce and explain profit at this point
if ATC - AFC (AVC) < P, produce at a level of output where MC = P, even if this results in negative profit. profit will exceed that which would result from shutting down?
what is the shut down point
P = minimum AVC (AVC = MC)
what happens at shut down point?
manager loses money equal to FC if he produces or loses that money if he shuts down, should shut down
define producer surplus
difference between market price and price producer is willing to receive for good/service (producer reservation price)