RTUComputer ScienceYr 2024 · Sem 32024

Q18Managerial Economics and Financial Accounting

Question

“A competitive firm is not a price maker, but adjustor.” Explain this statement with reference to price determination in long and short term under perfect competition.

Answer

In perfect competition, a firm is a 'price taker' (adjustor) because it is too small to influence the market price determined by industry demand and supply.

Short-run: The firm adjusts output where Price = Marginal Cost. Long-run: New firms enter or exit until Price = Minimum Average Cost, resulting in only normal profits.

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