Table 14-2 Table 14-2
shows the payoff matrix for Wal-Mart and Target from every combination of pricing
strategies for the popular PlayStation 3. At the start of the game each firm charges a low
price and each earns a profit of $7,000.
Is the current strategy in which each firm charges the low price and earns a profit of
$7,000 a Nash equilibrium? If not, why and what is the Nash equilibrium?
A) No, it is not a Nash equilibrium because each firm can do better by charging the high
price. The Nash equilibrium occurs when each firm charges the high price and earns a
profit of $10,000.
B) No, the current situation is not a Nash equilibrium; it is a dominant strategy
equilibrium. There is no Nash equilibrium in this game.
C) No, the current situation is not a Nash equilibrium. The Nash equilibrium for each
firm is to have the other charge a high price and for the firm in question charge a low
price.
D) Yes, the current situation is a Nash equilibrium.
If a straight line passes through the point x = 24 and y = 8 and also through the point x =
8 and y = 16, the slope of this line is
A) negative 8 divided by 4.
B) seven tenths.
C) negative one half.
D) one and one half.