Question

Firms A and B plan to collude in an economy for their similar​ products, which includes the grim strategy for punishment. They plan to set the price of their product at​ $8. The marginal cost of Firm A is​ $5 and Firm B is​ $4.50. If firm A is impatient to earn more profits and Firm B wishes to last in the business for the​ long-run, which of the following situations would likely​ occur? A. Firm B reduces the price to​ $7 causing Firm A to exit the market. B. Firm B reduces the price to​ $7 causing Firm A to reduce its price to​ $7. C. Firm A reduces the price to​ $7 causing Firm B to reduce its price to​ $4.50. D. Firm A reduces the price to​ $7 causing Firm B to exit the market.

Answer 1

Answer: C. Firm A reduces the price to​ $7 causing Firm B to reduce its price to​ $4.50.

Explanation:

Since firm A is impatient to earn more profits and Firm B wishes to last in the business for the​ long-run, then Firm A will reduce the price to​ $7 causing Firm B to reduce its price to​ $4.50.

Since Firm A reduces the price to​ $7, this will lead to an increase in the quantity demanded of the product and therefore the firm can earn more profit. On the other hand, firm B will reduce its price to a point where the price meets the marginal cost which is $4.50.