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Homework answers / question archive / Gillette (firm 1) and Schick (firm 2) are the only two firms in the market for disposable razors
Gillette (firm 1) and Schick (firm 2) are the only two firms in the market for disposable razors. The market inverse demand function for razors is P = 95 − q1 − q2. Each firm has constant marginal costs given by MC = 5, and zero fixed costs.
In the equilibrium of a Cournot duopoly, each firm will supply an output of units, the market-clearing price will be and the profit of each firm will be Now suppose that Gillette (firm 1) is the Stackelberg leader, and that Schick (firm 2) is the follower. In Stackelberg equilibrium firm 1 will supply an output of units, firm 2 will supply , and the market-clearing price will be
The market demand is
P = 95 - q1 - q2
Marginal Cost of firm 1 is
MC1 = 5
Hence, Total Cost of firm 1 is
C1 = 5.q1
Marginal Cost of firm 2 is
MC2 = 5
Hence, Total Cost of firm 2 is
C2 = 5.q2
? Under Cournot Duopoly,
• For firm 1,
Total Revenue is
R1 = P.q1 = (95 - q1 - q2).q1
or, R1 = 95.q1 - q1?????2 - q1.q2
Marginal Revenue is
MR1 = dR1/dq1
or, MR1 = 95 - 2.q1 - q2
At profit maximization,
MR1 = MC1
or, 95 - 2.q1 - q2 = 5
or, q1 = 45 - 0.5.q2.........RF1
This is reaction function of firm 1.
• Similarly for firm 2,
Total Revenue is
R2 = P.q2 = (95 - q1 - q2).q2
or, R2 = 95.q2 - q1.q2 - q2?????2
Marginal Revenue is
MR2 = dR2/dq2
or, MR2 = 95 - q1 - 2.q2
At profit maximization,
MR2 = MC2
or, 95 - q1 - 2.q2 = 5
or, q2 = 45 - 0.5.q1...........RF2
This is reaction function of firm 2.
Now, solving RF1 and RF2 reaction functions we get,
q1* = 30 and q2* = 30
Each firm will supply an output of 30 units.
Putting q1* = q2* = 30 in the market demand curve we get,
P* = 95 - q1* - q2* = 95 - 30 - 30
or, P* = $35
Market-clearing price will be $35.
Hence, the profit of each firm is
π = R - C
or, π = P.q - 5.q
or, π = 35×30 - 5×30
or, π = $900
Profit of each firm will be $900.
? Now, if firm 1 is the Stackelberg leader, them it will put reaction function of firm 2 (RF2) in his profit maximization problem. Hence,
Firm 1's Total Revenue is
R1 = P.q1
or, R1 = (95 - q1 - q2).q1
Putting q2 = 45 - 0.5.q1 we get,
R1 = (95 - q1 - 45 + 0.5.q1).q1
or, R1 = (50 - 0.5.q1).q1
or, R1 = 50.q1 - 0.52
Hence, Marginal Revenue is
MR1 = dR1/dq1
or, MR1 = 50 - q1
At profit maximization,
MR1 = MC1
or, 50 - q1 = 5
or, q1° = 45
Firm 1 will supply an output of 45 units.
Putting q1° = 45 in RF2 we get,
q2° = 45 - 0.5.q1° = 45 - 0.5×45
or, q2° = 22.5
Firm 2 will supply an output of 22.5 units.
Putting q1° = 45 and q2° = 22.5 in the market demand curve we get,
P° = 95 - q1° - q2° = 95 - 45 - 22.5
or, P° = $27.5
The market-clearing price will be $27.5.