A monopoly firm has a total fixed cost of Rs 100 and has the following demand schedule:
| Quantity | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 100 | 90 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 |
Find the short run equilibrium quantity, price and total profit. What would be the equilibrium in the long run? In case the total cost was Rs 1000, describe the equilibrium in the short run and in the long run.
You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →All cost is fixed, so and equilibrium is where is maximum (, , ). Short-run profit ; it persists in the long run. With : short-run loss but it still produces; in the long run it exits.
Because the firm has only a fixed cost (Rs 100) and no variable cost, its marginal cost is zero. A profit maximiser with zero produces where , i.e. where total revenue is at its maximum.
Total revenue :
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 90 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | |
| 100 | 180 | 240 | 280 | 300 | 300 | 280 | 240 | 180 | 100 |
reaches its maximum of Rs 300. The 6th unit adds nothing to (), so the equilibrium output is 6 units at a price of Rs 50 ( at Rs 60 yields the same ).
Short run (TC = Rs 100). Profit (supernormal profit).
Long run (TC = Rs 100). A monopoly is protected by barriers to entry, so no new firm can enter to compete the profit away. The Rs 200 profit persists in the long run, with the same equilibrium (6 units at Rs 50).
If the total cost were Rs 1000 instead. …
Unlock everything free for 14 days
- Full step-by-step solutions
- Concept-first explanations
- Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.