📚 Learning Guide
Dominant Strategies in Game Theory
hard

In an oligopoly, if Firm A has a dominant strategy to lower prices, what can be inferred about Firm B's strategy?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Firm B will always match Firm A's prices regardless of its own payoff.

B

Firm B will choose a higher price to maximize its profit.

C

Firm B's optimal strategy is independent of Firm A's decision.

D

Firm B will only lower prices if it is guaranteed to gain market share.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

In an oligopoly, where a few firms control the market, if Firm A decides to lower its prices as a dominant strategy, it means this is the best choice for Firm A regardless of what Firm B does. Firm B will likely respond to this price reduction because it wants to remain competitive and not lose customers. If Firm A lowers its prices, Firm B may also feel pressured to lower its prices or risk losing sales. This creates a situation where both firms might end up lowering prices, leading to lower profits for both. For example, if Firm A sells a popular product for $10 and cuts the price to $8, Firm B might lower its price to $8 as well to keep its customers, showing how Firm B's strategy is influenced by Firm A's dominant choice.

Detailed Explanation

Firm B will likely lower its prices too. Other options are incorrect because This option suggests Firm B will ignore Firm A's actions; This choice implies Firm B can act alone.

Key Concepts

Dominant Strategies
Oligopoly Market Structure
Payoff Matrix
Topic

Dominant Strategies in Game Theory

Difficulty

hard level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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