A firm will shut down in the short run when
price is below average variable costs at all possible rates of output.
price is below average total costs at all possible rates of output.
price is below marginal cost at all possible rates of output.
Suppose a perfectly competitive firm can produce 20,000 bushels of corn a year at an output at
which marginal cost equals marginal revenue. The market price of corn per bushel is $1.00. The
firm’s total costs per year are $50,000 and fixed costs per year are $25,000. In the short run, this firm
should
produce 40,000 bushels to try to increase economic profit.
continue producing until the price of corn increases.
produce 20,000 bushels of corn because, although they are losing money, they are losing less
than if they shut down.
The value of total output decreases when labor leaves one industry and goes to another and capital
leaves the second industry and goes to the first. This indicates that
the second situation is efficient.
the first situation was not efficient.
price is greater than marginal cost.
it would be efficient to return to the first situation.
A price taker is a firm that
cannot influence the market price.
searches for the best price and then takes the highest profits possible.
seeks to maximize revenue rather than profit.