📚 Learning Guide
Profit Maximization in Monopolies
easy

If a monopolist increases its output to the point where marginal cost equals marginal revenue, what is the likely effect on consumer prices?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Consumer prices will decrease due to increased supply.

B

Consumer prices will increase as the monopolist maximizes profit.

C

Consumer prices will remain unchanged as output does not affect price.

D

Consumer prices will fluctuate unpredictably due to market forces.

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

When a monopolist increases its output until marginal cost equals marginal revenue, it is trying to maximize its profit. Marginal cost is the cost of producing one more unit of a good, while marginal revenue is the additional income gained from selling that extra unit. When these two are equal, it means the monopolist is producing the most profit-efficient amount of goods. As a result, increasing output can lead to lower consumer prices because more products are available in the market, which can create competition and drive prices down. For example, if a company that makes toys produces more toys, it may lower the price because they want to sell all the toys they’ve made, making them more affordable for consumers.

Detailed Explanation

When a monopolist produces more, they can charge higher prices to maximize profit. Other options are incorrect because Some might think more supply always lowers prices; It's a common belief that output changes don't affect prices.

Key Concepts

Profit Maximization in Monopolies
Market Power and Pricing
Marginal Cost and Marginal Revenue
Topic

Profit Maximization in Monopolies

Difficulty

easy level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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