Learning Path
Question & Answer1
Understand Question2
Review Options3
Learn Explanation4
Explore TopicChoose the Best Answer
A
The firm's marginal cost exceeds its average total cost, leading to losses.
B
The firm can increase prices to cover its costs.
C
The firm is producing at its maximum capacity regardless of demand.
D
The firm has fixed costs that cannot be altered.
Understanding the Answer
Let's break down why this is correct
Answer
A perfectly competitive firm experiences economic losses when its total costs exceed its total revenue. This situation often occurs because the price at which it sells its products is lower than the average cost of production. To address these losses, the firm must adjust its production levels by either reducing output or finding ways to lower costs. For example, if a bakery finds that the cost to make each loaf of bread is higher than what customers are willing to pay, it might decide to bake fewer loaves or seek cheaper ingredients. By making these adjustments, the firm aims to minimize losses and potentially return to profitability in the long run.
Detailed Explanation
When a firm’s costs to produce one more item are higher than what it earns from selling it, it loses money. Other options are incorrect because Some might think a firm can just raise prices to fix losses; It's a common belief that producing at full capacity is always good.
Key Concepts
Perfectly competitive markets
Economic losses and adjustments
Marginal cost and average total cost
Topic
Market Adjustments and Firm Behavior
Difficulty
easy level question
Cognitive Level
understand
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