Consider the following total cost schedule for a perfectly competitive firm producing ball-point pens.
Output per period | TVC ($) | TFC ($) |
0 | 0 | 5 |
10 | 2 | 5 |
20 | 3 | 5 |
30 | 6 | 5 |
40 | 10 | 5 |
50 | 15 | 5 |
TABLE 9-2
Refer to Table 9-2. Suppose the prevailing market price for this firm's product is $0.42 and the firm produces its profit-maximizing level of output. At this price,
◦ the firm should decrease output.
◦ the firm should increase output.
◦ the firm is earning zero economic profits.
◦ the firm is suffering economic losses and this firm will exit the industry.
◦ the firm is earning positive economic profits.