Chapter 10: Q.11 (page 252)
Will the firms in an oligopoly act more like a
monopoly or more like competitors? Briefly explain.
Short Answer
Oligopoly will behave like both the monopoly and competitor.
/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}
Learning Materials
Features
Discover
Chapter 10: Q.11 (page 252)
Will the firms in an oligopoly act more like a
monopoly or more like competitors? Briefly explain.
Oligopoly will behave like both the monopoly and competitor.
All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.
Get started for free
Andrea’s Day Spa began to offer a relaxing
aromatherapy treatment. The firm asks you how much to charge to maximize profits. The first two columns in Table provide the price and quantity for the demand curve for treatments. The third column shows its total costs. For each level of output, calculate total revenue, marginal revenue, average cost, and marginal cost. What is the profit-maximizing level of output for the treatments and how much will the firm earn in profits?
| Price | Quantity | TC |
Consider the curve in the figure below, which shows the market demand, marginal cost, and marginal revenue curve for firms in an oligopolistic industry. In this example, we assume firms have zero fixed costs.

a. Suppose the firms collude to form a cartel. What price will the cartel charge? What quantity will the cartel
supply? How much profit will the cartel earn?
b. Suppose now that the cartel breaks up and the oligopolistic firms compete as vigorously as possible by cutting the price and increasing sales. What will be the industry quantity and price? What will be the collective profits of all firms in the industry?
c. Compare the equilibrium price, quantity, and profit for the cartel and cutthroat competition outcomes.
If the firms in a monopolistically competitive market
are earning economic profits or losses in the short run, would you expect them to continue doing so in the long run? Why?
Make a case for why monopolistically competitive industries never reach long-run equilibrium.
Does each individual in a prisoner’s dilemma benefit more from cooperation or from pursuing self-interest? Explain briefly.
What do you think about this solution?
We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.