Question

Suppose that the market for haircuts in a community is perfectly competitive and that the market is initially in long-run equilibrium. Subsequently, an increase in population increases the demand for haircuts. In the short run, we expect that the typical firm is likely to begin:Select one:A. incurring an economic loss.B. experiencing neither an economic profit nor an economic loss.C. earning an economic profit.D. experiencing no change in its economic profit.

Answer 1

Answer:

C) earning an economic profit.

Explanation:

Since the market is in long run equilibrium, the demand = the supply of haircuts, and an increase in the quantity demanded will increase the equilibrium price in the short run, generating economic profits at least until more suppliers enter the market and long run equilibrium is established again. Economic profit doesn't exist when the market is at long run equilibrium.

*Economic profit = accounting profit - implicit costs. So economic profit being $0 in the long run doesn't mean the businesses are not making an accounting profit.