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Multiple Choice
If the firm decreases its production from Q2 to Q1, it will
A
Increase its profit
B
Decrease its profit
C
Reduce its marginal revenue
D
Increase its marginal revenue
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the key curves in the graph: the Marginal Cost (MC) curve, the Average Total Cost (ATC) curve, and the horizontal line representing the price level (P1).
Understand that profit maximization occurs where Marginal Cost (MC) equals Marginal Revenue (MR), which is also the price (P1) in a perfectly competitive market.
Observe that at quantity Q2, the MC curve intersects the price line (P1), indicating the profit-maximizing output level.
Note that if the firm decreases production from Q2 to Q1, the MC is less than the price (P1), meaning the firm is not maximizing profit as it could produce more at a higher price than the cost.
Conclude that reducing output from Q2 to Q1 will decrease profit because the firm is not producing at the level where MC equals MR (price), and thus not maximizing profit.