📚 Learning Guide
Normal Profit and Market Dynamics
hard

In a perfectly competitive market, if a firm is earning normal profit, which of the following statements is true regarding supply and demand dynamics, business sustainability, and competitive advantage?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

The firm is making a loss but will continue to operate in the short run.

B

The firm's total revenue equals its total costs, indicating sustainability without economic profit.

C

The firm has a competitive advantage that allows it to charge a higher price than its competitors.

D

The firm will exit the market as it cannot cover its fixed costs.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

In a perfectly competitive market, when a firm is earning normal profit, it means that the firm is covering all its costs, including the opportunity costs of using its resources. This situation indicates that the supply and demand dynamics are balanced; the quantity of goods supplied by the firm matches the quantity demanded by consumers. Since the firm is not making supernormal profits, there is no strong incentive for new firms to enter the market, which helps sustain the existing businesses. An example of this would be a local bakery that sells enough bread to cover its costs but isn’t making extra money beyond that; it can continue operating because it meets its financial needs. Overall, normal profit suggests stability in the market, where firms can survive without gaining a competitive edge over others.

Detailed Explanation

When a firm earns normal profit, it means its total revenue is equal to its total costs. Other options are incorrect because Some might think normal profit means losing money; It's a common mistake to think normal profit means having an edge over others.

Key Concepts

Supply and demand dynamics
Business sustainability
Competitive advantage
Topic

Normal Profit and Market Dynamics

Difficulty

hard level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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