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Question Four {10 Marks} Consider a competitive industry with several identical firms

Economics Nov 21, 2020

Question Four {10 Marks} Consider a competitive industry with several identical firms. The long run average cost of a firm producing Q units of output is given by: C = 50 – 4Q + Q2 Suppose the market demand is given by: Qp = 246 – P; where P denotes market price. Determine the following: Answer i. The quantity at which the LRAC is minimised. {2 Marks} ii. The value of LRAC at its minimum point. {2 Marks} iii. The market demand when LRMC ELRAC (minimum point). {2 Marks} iv. The number of firms in the industry in the long run equilibrium. 

Expert Solution

(i)

Long run average cost of a firm producing Q units of output is given by: LRAC = 50 - 4Q + Q2.

LRAC = 50 - 4Q + Q2.

Differentiate LRAC w.r.t Q

=> dLRAC / dQ = -4 + 2Q = 0

=> 2Q = 4

=> Q = (4/2)

=> Q = 2

At Q=2, the LRAC minimised

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(ii) LRAC = 50 - 4Q + Q2

Put Q = 2

=> LRAC = 50 - 4(2) + (2)2.

=> LRAC = 50 - 8 + 4

=> LRAC = 46

The minimum value of LRAC is 46

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(iii) At minimum point of LRAC, LRMC = LRAC

Hence, LRMC = LRAC = 46

A perfectly competitive firm produces at P = LRMC = LRAC

P = LRMC

=> P = 46

Hence, the long run equilibrium price is 46

Qd = 246 - P

=> Qd = 246 - 46

=> Qd = 200

The market demand is 200 when LRMC = LRAC.

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(iv) Each firm produces Q=2 in the long run.

The market demand in the long run is 200

Number of firms in the long run = (Market demand / Each firm production)

=> Number of firms in the long run = (200 / 2)

=> Number of firms in the long run = 100

There are 100 firms in the industry in the long run equilibrium point.

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