📚 Learning Guide
Economic Profit and Oligopoly
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In an oligopoly market, if two firms A and B engage in a price war, what is the likely outcome in terms of economic profit, assuming both firms reach a Nash Equilibrium?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Both firms will earn positive economic profits.

B

One firm will drive the other out of business.

C

Both firms will earn zero economic profits.

D

Only firm A will earn economic profits.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

In an oligopoly market, when two firms like A and B get into a price war, they start lowering their prices to attract more customers from each other. This can lead to a situation where both firms keep cutting prices until they reach a point where neither can lower their prices further without losing money. At this stage, known as Nash Equilibrium, both firms are making just enough revenue to cover their costs but not making any economic profit, which means they aren't making extra money beyond what's needed to stay in business. For example, if Firm A and Firm B both sell a product for $10 and their costs are also $10, they won't earn any profit. Ultimately, the price war can lead to intense competition that drives profits down to zero for both firms.

Detailed Explanation

In a price war, firms lower prices to compete. Other options are incorrect because Some might think both firms can still make money; It's a common belief that one firm will win and the other will lose.

Key Concepts

Nash Equilibrium
Game Theory
Topic

Economic Profit and Oligopoly

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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