Q.How is the price of a commodity determined under Perfect Competition? Explain with the help of an example and diagram.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Under perfect competition the equilibrium price is set where total market demand equals total market supply; each firm then takes this price as given.
Under perfect competition no single firm or buyer can influence the price. The price of the commodity is determined for the market (industry) as a whole by the forces of total demand and total supply, and the individual firm accepts (takes) this price as given.
Determination of market price:
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Market demand — The market demand curve (DD) slopes downward, showing that at lower prices buyers demand more (law of demand) and at higher prices they demand less.
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Market supply — The market supply curve (SS) slopes upward, showing that at higher prices sellers are willing to supply more (law of supply) and at lower prices they supply less.
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Equilibrium price — The equilibrium price is determined at the point where the market demand curve and the market supply curve intersect (point E in a diagram). At this price the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied, so the market clears.
Adjustment to equilibrium:
- If the price is above equilibrium, supply exceeds demand (excess supply); unsold stocks force sellers to cut the price until equilibrium is restored.
- If the price is below equilibrium, demand exceeds supply (excess demand); competition among buyers pushes the price up until equilibrium is restored.
Example (illustrative schedule):
Price (per unit): 2, 3, 4, 5
Quantity demanded: 50, 40, 30, 20
Quantity supplied: 20, 30, 30, ...
At a price of 4, quantity demanded (30) equals quantity supplied (30), so 4 is the equilibrium price and 30 the equilibrium quantity. (A diagram would show DD and SS intersecting at E, giving equilibrium price OP and quantity OQ.)
The firm under perfect competition: …
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