Q
QuestionEconomics

The deadweight loss from monopoly arises because the monopoly firm makes higher profits than a competitive firm would. some potential consumers who forgo buying the good value it more than its marginal cost consumers who buy the good have to pay more than marginal cost, reducing their consumer surplus the monopoly firm chooses a quantity that fails to equate price and average revenue.
3 months agoReport content

Answer

Full Solution Locked

Sign in to view the complete step-by-step solution and unlock all study resources.

Step 1
: Begin by defining the deadweight loss (DWL) in a monopoly market.

DWL=(Competitive OutputMonopoly Output)×(PriceMarginal Cost at Monopoly Output)\text{DWL} = (\text{Competitive Output} - \text{Monopoly Output}) \times (\text{Price} - \text{Marginal Cost at Monopoly Output})
DWL is the difference between the competitive output level and the monopoly output level, multiplied by the difference in price and marginal cost at the monopoly output level.

Step 2
: The competitive output level is where price equals marginal cost (P = MC).

Competitive Output:Qc=argminQ(PMC)\text{Competitive Output:} \quad Q_c = \text{arg} \min_Q (P - MC)
In a competitive market, firms produce where P = MC, so we can express competitive output as:

Final Answer

The deadweight loss from monopoly is given by the equation:
DWL=(QcQm)×(P(Qm)MC(Qm))\text{DWL} = (Q_c - Q_m) \times (P(Q_m) - MC(Q_m))
Where: - $Q_c$ is the competitive output level - $Q_m$ is the monopoly output level - $P(Q_m)$ is the price at the monopoly output level - $MC(Q_m)$ is the marginal cost at the monopoly output level Note that DWL is positive, indicating that there is a loss of economic efficiency in a monopoly market compared to a competitive market.

Need Help with Homework?

Stuck on a difficult problem? We've got you covered:

  • Post your question or upload an image
  • Get instant step-by-step solutions
  • Learn from our AI and community of students