📚 Learning Guide
Profit Maximization Techniques
hard

A firm operating in a competitive market is trying to maximize its profits. It observes that the price elasticity of demand for its product is -1.5, and it is currently producing at a level where marginal cost equals marginal revenue. If the firm wants to increase its profits, what should it consider doing to optimize its output level?

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Learning Path

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Increase production to lower average costs

B

Decrease production to raise prices

C

Maintain current production level as it maximizes profits

D

Increase prices to improve revenue

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

To maximize profits in a competitive market, the firm should consider adjusting its output level based on the price elasticity of demand. Since the price elasticity of demand is -1. 5, this means that demand is elastic, and a small decrease in price will lead to a larger increase in the quantity sold. Therefore, the firm could increase its output slightly, which would allow it to lower the price and attract more customers, ultimately leading to higher total revenue. For example, if the firm currently sells 100 units at a price of $10 each, producing and selling 110 units at a slightly lower price might increase overall profits despite the lower price per unit.

Detailed Explanation

When demand is elastic, lowering production can raise prices. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that producing more lowers costs; It's easy to think that staying the same is best.

Key Concepts

Price Elasticity of Demand
Competition
Output Level Optimization
Topic

Profit Maximization Techniques

Difficulty

hard level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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