QuestionAugust 12, 2026

A perfectly competitive firm faces the following cost and revenue positions: ATC= 14,AVC= 10,MR= 6,MC= 6 . What should they do A) shut down B) remain at position C) decrease output D) increase output

A perfectly competitive firm faces the following cost and revenue positions: ATC= 14,AVC= 10,MR= 6,MC= 6 . What should they do A) shut down B) remain at position C) decrease output D) increase output
A perfectly competitive firm faces the following cost and revenue positions:
ATC= 14,AVC= 10,MR= 6,MC= 6 . What should they do
A) shut down
B) remain at position
C) decrease output
D) increase output

Solution
4.5(259 votes)

Answer

A) Shut down Explanation 1. Understand the nature of a perfectly competitive firm's profit or loss In a perfectly competitive market, firms aim to maximize profit or minimize losses. The key rule is: - If **Marginal Revenue (MR) = Marginal Cost (MC)**, the firm is at its profit-maximizing or loss-minimizing output level. - To decide whether to continue operating or shut down, compare the **Average Variable Cost (AVC)** and the **Price (MR, which equals Marginal Revenue in perfect competition)**: - If **MR < AVC**, the firm should shut down in the short run because it's unable to cover variable costs. - If **MR ≥ AVC**, the firm should continue operating in the short run, even if it's incurring losses on fixed costs. For this problem: - MR = \6, MC = \6, ATC = \14, and AVC = \10. 2. Determine if the firm should shut down Here, MR = 6 and AVC = 10. Since MR (=\6) is **less than AVC (=\10)**, the firm is not covering its variable costs and should therefore shut down operations in the short run. The firm's losses would decrease if it shut down, as it cannot sustain operation below the variable cost threshold.

Explanation

1. Understand the nature of a perfectly competitive firm's profit or loss<br /> In a perfectly competitive market, firms aim to maximize profit or minimize losses. The key rule is:<br />- If **Marginal Revenue (MR) = Marginal Cost (MC)**, the firm is at its profit-maximizing or loss-minimizing output level.<br />- To decide whether to continue operating or shut down, compare the **Average Variable Cost (AVC)** and the **Price (MR, which equals Marginal Revenue in perfect competition)**:<br /> - If **MR < AVC**, the firm should shut down in the short run because it's unable to cover variable costs.<br /> - If **MR ≥ AVC**, the firm should continue operating in the short run, even if it's incurring losses on fixed costs.<br /><br />For this problem: <br />- $MR = \$6$, $MC = \$6$, $ATC = \$14$, and $AVC = \$10$.<br /><br />2. Determine if the firm should shut down<br /> Here, $MR = 6$ and $AVC = 10$. Since $MR (=\$6)$ is **less than $AVC$ (=\$10)**, the firm is not covering its variable costs and should therefore shut down operations in the short run.<br /><br /> The firm's losses would decrease if it shut down, as it cannot sustain operation below the variable cost threshold.<br /><br />
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