Question
Consider a monopoly market.Initially, the firm sets one price to all buyers, because the firm does not have detailed information on each individual buyer.The straight-line
Consider a monopoly market.Initially, the firm sets one price to all buyers, because the firm does not have detailed information on each individual buyer.The straight-line market demand curve D0 and the firm's average cost curve AC0 are shown in the graph below. The firm has constant average cost of production equal to $10.Let's call the initial profit-maximizing price P0 and the initial profit-maximizing quantity Q0.
Segment 2 has people who are willing to pay moderate prices.As indicated in the graph above, the range of prices for Segment 2 is from a price PL (that is somewhat below P0) to a price PH (that is somewhat above P0).
Recall that Segment 2 is the "middle" portion of the overall market demand curve, showing buyers who are willing to pay between PL and PH.(Recall also that the initial profit-maximizing price P0 is between PL and PH.)
Given this information, you are asked to determine which of the following is/are possible:
(i)The profit-maximizing price P2 for Segment 2 is greater than the initial profit-maximizing price P0 for the entire market (no segmentation).
(ii)The profit-maximizing price P2 for Segment 2 is equal to the initial profit-maximizing price P0 for the entire market (no segmentation).
(iii) The profit-maximizing price P2 for Segment 2 is less than the initial profit-maximizing price P0 for the entire market (no segmentation).
Explain which of these three is/are possible.Your answer (and the graph) should include (but may not be limited to) a clear explanation of the profit-maximizing price P2 for Segment 2.
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