Asked by Shriyam Jairath on Jun 14, 2024
Verified
Bud Owen operates Bud's Package Store in a small college town. Bud sells six packs of beer for off-premises consumption. Bud has very limited store space and has decided to limit his product line to one brand of beer, choosing to forego the snack food lines that normally accompany his business. Bud's is the only beer retailer physically located within the town limits. He faces considerable competition, however, from sellers located outside of town. Bud regards the market as highly competitive and considers the current $2.50 per six pack selling price to be beyond his control. Bud's total and marginal cost functions are:
TC = 2000 + 0.0005Q2
MC = 0.001Q,
where Q refers to six packs per week. Included in the fixed cost figure is a $750 per week salary for Bud, which he considers to be his opportunity cost.
a. Calculate the profit maximizing output for Bud. What is his profit? Is this an economic profit or an accounting profit?
b. The town council has voted to impose a tax of $.50 per six pack sold in the town, hoping to discourage beer consumption. What impact will the tax have on Bud? Should Bud continue to operate? What impact will the tax have on Bud's out-of-town competitors?
Opportunity Cost
The cost of an alternative that must be forgone in order to pursue a certain action, the benefits you could have received by taking an alternative action.
Marginal Cost
The cost added by producing one more item of a product, a crucial factor in economic decision-making regarding production levels.
Economic Profit
The difference between a firm’s total revenues and its total costs, including both explicit and implicit costs, representing the actual financial gain.
- Calculate optimal output, cost, and profit for businesses under various market conditions.
- Analyze the impact of government interventions, such as taxes, on market outcomes and firm operations.
Verified Answer
Q = 2500
TR = 2.5 × 2500 = 6250
TC = 2000 + 0.0005 TC = 2000 + 3125
TC = 5125
π = 6250 - 5125
π = 1,125
Since the cost function is an economic cost function, we can conclude that this is an economic profit.
b.Tax shifts total cost curve to:
TC = 2000 + 0.0005Q2 + 0.5Q
MC becomes
MC = 0.001Q + 0.5
setting P = MC
$2.50 = 0.001Q + 0.5
2.00 = 0.001Q
Q = 2000
TR = 2.50 × 2000
TR = 5000
TC = 2000 + 0.0005 + 0.5(2000)
TC = 2000 + 2000 + 1000
TC = 5000
π = 5000 - 5000
π = 0
Given that this is zero economic profit, Bud should continue operating.The impact upon Bud's competitors will be favorable or neutral. As he curtails output, 500 six packs worth of business will either shift elsewhere or choose temperance.
Learning Objectives
- Calculate optimal output, cost, and profit for businesses under various market conditions.
- Analyze the impact of government interventions, such as taxes, on market outcomes and firm operations.
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