📚 Learning Guide
Graphing Monopolistic Competition
easy

Which of the following scenarios best represents a firm operating under monopolistic competition and illustrates why it can sustain economic profit in the short run?

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Learning Path
Learning Path

Question & Answer
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2
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3
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4
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Choose the Best Answer

A

A restaurant in a busy area increasing prices due to high demand while facing many competitors

B

A monopoly setting prices above marginal cost due to lack of competition

C

A local grocery store with no differentiation lowering prices to attract customers

D

An airline reducing flights in a market with few substitutes to maintain high prices

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

In monopolistic competition, many firms sell similar but not identical products, which gives them some control over pricing. For example, consider a local coffee shop that offers unique flavors and a cozy atmosphere, setting it apart from other coffee shops. In the short run, if this coffee shop attracts many customers and manages to charge a higher price than its costs, it can earn economic profits. However, these profits attract new competitors who want to enter the market, leading to more choices for consumers. Eventually, the economic profits will decrease as competition increases and prices stabilize, but in the short run, the coffee shop benefits from its unique offerings.

Detailed Explanation

A restaurant in a busy area can raise prices when many people want to eat there. Other options are incorrect because This option suggests a single company controls the market; Here, the store is not different from others.

Key Concepts

Monopolistic Competition
Demand Curve Characteristics
Economic Profit
Topic

Graphing Monopolistic Competition

Difficulty

easy level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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