📚 Learning Guide
Profit Maximization in Monopolies
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In a monopoly, how does a firm determine the optimal output level for profit maximization?

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Learning Path
Learning Path

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Choose the Best Answer

A

By producing where marginal cost equals marginal revenue

B

By maximizing total revenue regardless of cost

C

By setting price equal to average total cost

D

By producing at the output where demand is highest

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

In a monopoly, a firm determines the optimal output level for profit maximization by analyzing its costs and the demand for its product. The firm will look for the point where its marginal cost, which is the cost of producing one more unit, equals its marginal revenue, the income earned from selling that additional unit. When these two values are equal, the firm maximizes its profit because producing more would cost more than the revenue gained. For example, if a monopolist finds that producing 100 units costs $500 and brings in $600 in revenue, they will continue to produce until the cost of making an additional unit equals the revenue from selling it. This careful balance helps the monopolist decide how many units to produce to earn the most profit.

Detailed Explanation

A monopoly finds the best amount to produce by looking at where the extra cost of making one more item equals the extra money it makes from selling that item. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that just making as much money as possible is the goal; People might believe that setting the price to cover all costs is the best way.

Key Concepts

Profit Maximization in Monopolies
Marginal Revenue and Marginal Cost
Price Discrimination
Topic

Profit Maximization in Monopolies

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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