ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN: 9780190931919
Author: NEWNAN
Publisher: Oxford University Press
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Because Carlos has deviated from the cartel agreement and increased his output of water to 35 gallons more than the cartel amount, Deborah decides that she will also increase her production to 35 gallons more than the cartel amount.

After Deborah increases her production, Carlos's profit becomes $ ______, Deborah’s profit becomes $ ______, and total profit (the sum of the profits of Carlos and Deborah) is now $ ______.

**True or False:** Based on the fact that both Carlos and Deborah increased production from the initial cartel quantity, you know that the output effect was larger than the price effect at that quantity.

- ○ True
- ○ False

Carlos and Deborah have each cheated on their cartel agreement and increased production by 35 gallons more than the cartel amount. However, they both realize that if they continue to increase output beyond this amount, they'll each suffer a decrease in profit. (To see this for yourself, consider Carlos's profit when he produces 70 gallons more than the cartel amount compared to his profit when he produces 35 gallons more than the cartel amount.)

Neither Carlos nor Deborah has an incentive to increase output further, nor does either have an incentive to decrease output. This outcome is an example of ______.

**Explanation of Concepts:**

1. **Cartel Agreement:** An arrangement among competing firms to control prices or limit production with the aim of increasing profits. Deviating from such an agreement typically involves increasing production to gain a larger market share.
   
2. **Output Effect vs. Price Effect:** The balance between increasing production (output effect) and the impact on market prices (price effect) is crucial. If the output effect is larger, increasing production can increase profits despite some reduction in prices.

3. **Profit Calculation:** Understanding how changes in production affect individual and total profit helps comprehend strategic decisions.

4. **Incentive Analysis:** Evaluates factors that influence decision-making in an economic setting, like a cartel, where maintaining certain production levels maximizes profits under given circumstances.

This activity encourages evaluating the strategic interactions within a cartel and understanding economic principles like competition, incentives, and market effects.
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Transcribed Image Text:**Text:** Because Carlos has deviated from the cartel agreement and increased his output of water to 35 gallons more than the cartel amount, Deborah decides that she will also increase her production to 35 gallons more than the cartel amount. After Deborah increases her production, Carlos's profit becomes $ ______, Deborah’s profit becomes $ ______, and total profit (the sum of the profits of Carlos and Deborah) is now $ ______. **True or False:** Based on the fact that both Carlos and Deborah increased production from the initial cartel quantity, you know that the output effect was larger than the price effect at that quantity. - ○ True - ○ False Carlos and Deborah have each cheated on their cartel agreement and increased production by 35 gallons more than the cartel amount. However, they both realize that if they continue to increase output beyond this amount, they'll each suffer a decrease in profit. (To see this for yourself, consider Carlos's profit when he produces 70 gallons more than the cartel amount compared to his profit when he produces 35 gallons more than the cartel amount.) Neither Carlos nor Deborah has an incentive to increase output further, nor does either have an incentive to decrease output. This outcome is an example of ______. **Explanation of Concepts:** 1. **Cartel Agreement:** An arrangement among competing firms to control prices or limit production with the aim of increasing profits. Deviating from such an agreement typically involves increasing production to gain a larger market share. 2. **Output Effect vs. Price Effect:** The balance between increasing production (output effect) and the impact on market prices (price effect) is crucial. If the output effect is larger, increasing production can increase profits despite some reduction in prices. 3. **Profit Calculation:** Understanding how changes in production affect individual and total profit helps comprehend strategic decisions. 4. **Incentive Analysis:** Evaluates factors that influence decision-making in an economic setting, like a cartel, where maintaining certain production levels maximizes profits under given circumstances. This activity encourages evaluating the strategic interactions within a cartel and understanding economic principles like competition, incentives, and market effects.
**Breakdown of a Cartel Agreement**

Consider a town in which only two residents, Carlos and Deborah, own wells that produce water safe for drinking. Carlos and Deborah can pump and sell as much water as they want at no cost. For them, total revenue equals profit. The following table shows the town's demand schedule for water.

| Price (Dollars per gallon) | Quantity Demanded (Gallons of water) | Total Revenue (Dollars) |
|----------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------|
| 3.60                       | 0                                   | 0                       |
| 3.30                       | 35                                  | 115.50                  |
| 3.00                       | 70                                  | 210.00                  |
| 2.70                       | 105                                 | 283.50                  |
| 2.40                       | 140                                 | 336.00                  |
| 2.10                       | 175                                 | 367.50                  |
| 1.80                       | 210                                 | 378.00                  |
| 1.50                       | 245                                 | 367.50                  |
| 1.20                       | 280                                 | 336.00                  |
| 0.90                       | 315                                 | 283.50                  |
| 0.60                       | 350                                 | 210.00                  |
| 0.30                       | 385                                 | 115.50                  |
| 0                          | 420                                 | 0                       |

Suppose Carlos and Deborah form a cartel and behave as a monopolist. The profit-maximizing price is $____ per gallon, and the total output is ____ gallons. As part of their cartel agreement, Carlos and Deborah agree to split production equally. Therefore, Carlos's profit is $____, and Deborah's profit is $____.

Suppose that Carlos and Deborah have been successfully operating as a cartel. They each charge the monopoly price and sell half of the monopoly quantity. Then one night before going to sleep, Carlos says to himself, "Deborah and I aren't the best of friends anyway. If I increase my production to 35 gallons more than the cartel amount, I can increase my profit even though her profit goes down. I will do that starting tomorrow."

After Carlos implements his new plan, the price of water ▼ to $____ per gallon. Given Deborah and Carlos's production levels,
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Transcribed Image Text:**Breakdown of a Cartel Agreement** Consider a town in which only two residents, Carlos and Deborah, own wells that produce water safe for drinking. Carlos and Deborah can pump and sell as much water as they want at no cost. For them, total revenue equals profit. The following table shows the town's demand schedule for water. | Price (Dollars per gallon) | Quantity Demanded (Gallons of water) | Total Revenue (Dollars) | |----------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------| | 3.60 | 0 | 0 | | 3.30 | 35 | 115.50 | | 3.00 | 70 | 210.00 | | 2.70 | 105 | 283.50 | | 2.40 | 140 | 336.00 | | 2.10 | 175 | 367.50 | | 1.80 | 210 | 378.00 | | 1.50 | 245 | 367.50 | | 1.20 | 280 | 336.00 | | 0.90 | 315 | 283.50 | | 0.60 | 350 | 210.00 | | 0.30 | 385 | 115.50 | | 0 | 420 | 0 | Suppose Carlos and Deborah form a cartel and behave as a monopolist. The profit-maximizing price is $____ per gallon, and the total output is ____ gallons. As part of their cartel agreement, Carlos and Deborah agree to split production equally. Therefore, Carlos's profit is $____, and Deborah's profit is $____. Suppose that Carlos and Deborah have been successfully operating as a cartel. They each charge the monopoly price and sell half of the monopoly quantity. Then one night before going to sleep, Carlos says to himself, "Deborah and I aren't the best of friends anyway. If I increase my production to 35 gallons more than the cartel amount, I can increase my profit even though her profit goes down. I will do that starting tomorrow." After Carlos implements his new plan, the price of water ▼ to $____ per gallon. Given Deborah and Carlos's production levels,
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