A single firm monopolizes the entire market for single-lever, ball-type faucets which it can produce at a constant average and marginal cost of AC = MC = 10. Originally, the firm faces a market demand curve given by Q = 60 - P.
A.) Calculate the profit-maximizing price and quantity combination for the firm. What is the firm's profit?
B.) Suppose that the market demand curve shifts outward and becomes steeper. Market demand is now described as Q = 45 - 0.5P. What is the firm's profit-maximizing price and quantity combination now? What is the firm's profit?
C.) Instead of the demand function assumed in part b, assume instead that the market demand shift outward and becomes flatter. It is described by Q = 100 - 2P. Now what is the firm's profit-maximizing price and quantity combination? What is the firm's profit?
D.) Graph the three different situations in parts (a.), (b.), and (c.). Based on what you observe, explain why there is no supply curve for a firm with monopoly power." "