📚 Learning Guide
Cost Changes and Production Levels
medium

If a firm reduces its marginal cost due to technological advancements, which of the following outcomes is most likely in a perfectly competitive market?

Master this concept with our detailed explanation and step-by-step learning approach

Learning Path
Learning Path

Question & Answer
1
Understand Question
2
Review Options
3
Learn Explanation
4
Explore Topic

Choose the Best Answer

A

The firm can increase output without changing price.

B

The firm must lower its price to sell more.

C

The firm's profits will decrease as output increases.

D

The firm will face increased competition immediately.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When a firm reduces its marginal cost because of new technology, it can produce goods more cheaply. In a perfectly competitive market, this means the firm can lower its prices to attract more customers, since many firms sell similar products. As the firm lowers its prices, it may increase its production level because it can sell more at the lower price. For example, if a bakery improves its oven technology and can bake bread at a lower cost, it might reduce the price of a loaf of bread to sell more. Overall, this change benefits consumers with lower prices and encourages the firm to produce more.

Detailed Explanation

When a firm lowers its marginal cost, it can produce more goods without raising prices. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that lowering costs means the firm must drop prices to sell more; It's a common mistake to think that increasing output always lowers profits.

Key Concepts

Marginal cost reduction
Perfect competition
Output and pricing strategies
Topic

Cost Changes and Production Levels

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

Ready to Master More Topics?

Join thousands of students using Seekh's interactive learning platform to excel in their studies with personalized practice and detailed explanations.