Two years ago, a large number of firms entered a market in which existing firms had been earning positive economic profits. By the end of last year, the typical firm in this industry had begun earning negative economic profits. No other events occurred in this market during the past two years.

a. Explain the adjustment process that occurred last year.

b. Predict what adjustments will take place in this market beginning this year, other things being equal.

Short Answer

Expert verified

a. The entry of latest firms within the market leads to negative economic profit.

b.Reduction within the market supply tends to extend the costs of products and repair.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction

An economic profit or loss is that the difference between the revenue received from the sale of an output and also the costs of all inputs used, in addition as any opportunity costs. Possibility costs and explicit prices are excluded from earnings gained while computing net income. Opportunity costs are a kind of implicit cost determined by management and can vary supported different scenarios and perspectives.

02

Given Information (a)

A substantial lot of new business joined an industry whose existing businesses had profiting. By the end of this year, a firm in this industry was losing money.

03

Explanation (a)

(a) Entry of recent firms within the markets results in increase the market supply of products and services. Demand for goods and services remain the identical. An increase in supply ends up in a decline within the price below minimum cost, and consequently, the firms start earning negative economic profit. Thus, the entry of latest firms within the market leads to negative economic profit.

04

Given Information (b)

A large number of firms entered a marketwithin which existing firms had been earning positive economic profits. Bythe tip of last year,the everyday firmduring this industry had begun earning negative economic profits.


05

Explanation (b)

(b) The firms within the industry would start leaving industry because of negative economic profit. The market supply would increase when firms start leaving the industry. Reduction within the market supply tends to extend the costs of products and repair.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Why are we unable to conclude that large numbers of entries into and exits from all U.S. industries imply that all the industries are perfectly competitive? (Hint: What are the other characteristics of perfect competition?)

Consider the diagram nearby, which applies to a perfectly competitive firm, which at present faces a market clearing price of \(20per unit and produces 10,000units of output per week.

a. What is the firm's current average revenue per unit?

b. What are the present economic profits of this firm? Is the firm maximizing economic profits? Explain.

c. If the market clearing price drops to \)12.50per unit, should this firm continue to produce in the short run if it wishes to maximize its economic profits (or minimize its economic losses)? Explain.

d. If the market clearing price drops to $7.50per unit, should this firm continue to produce in the short run if it wishes to maximize its economic profits (or minimize its economic loses)? Explain.

Explain why each of the following examples is not a perfectly competitive industry.

a. One firm produces a large portion of the industry's total output, but there are many firms in the industry, and their products are indistinguishable. Firms can easily exit and enter the industry.

b. There are many buyers and sellers in the industry. Consumers have equal information about the prices of firms' products, which differ moderately in quality from firm to firm.

c. Many taxicabs compete in a city. The city's government requires all taxicabs to provide identical services. Taxicabs are nearly identical, and all drivers must wear a designated uniform. The government also enforces a binding limit on the number of taxicab companies that can operate within the city's boundaries.

Why do economists seeking to study industry entry and exit measure the number of firms instead of the number of establishments? (Hint: At which level are fundamentally independent economic decisions made by a business; the firm as a whole or an individual sales outlet of the firm?)

Consider the information provided in Problem 23-4. Suppose the market price drops to only $5 per pizza. In the short run, should this pizza shop continue to make pizzas, or will it maximize its economic profits (that is, minimize its economic loss) by shutting down?

See all solutions

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free