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Equilibrium Price and Output under Monopolistic Competition

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Topics

Estimated time: 9 minutes
  • Short-Run Equilibrium (Individual Firm)
  • Long-Run Equilibrium (Individual & Group)
  • Key Points: Equilibrium Price and Output under Monopolistic Competition
CISCE: Class 12

Short-Run Equilibrium (Individual Firm)

Firms adjust price/output quickly. Demand elasticity varies: old firms (inelastic demand, more pricing power) vs. new firms (elastic demand). No selling costs assumed here. Three possible outcomes:

Scenario Condition at Equilibrium Profit/Loss Key Reason Diagram
Super Normal Profits MC = MR; AR > AC Abnormal profits (shaded PLMN area) High demand; rivals lack close substitutes
Normal Profits MC = MR; AR = AC Zero economic profit Demand perfectly matches costs
Losses MC = MR; AR < AC Ongoing losses (shaded PLMN area) Weak demand; may exit if persistent

Real-Life Example: A new café incurs losses (low footfall), while an established chain like Starbucks earns super profits from brand loyalty.

CISCE: Class 12

Long-Run Equilibrium (Individual & Group)

Time for entry/exit and full cost adjustments (LAC/LMC curves). Super profits attract new firms, shifting demand left until AR tangent to LAC at MC=MR point. All firms earn normal profits (no economic profit).


Real-Life Example: Fast-food market (McDonald's vs. local burgers)—ads differentiate, but competition ensures long-run normal profits with excess capacity (firms under optimal scale).

CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Equilibrium Price and Output under Monopolistic Competition

  • Under monopolistic competition, firms sell differentiated products, so price and output are determined by each firm’s own demand and cost conditions.
  • In the short run, a firm is in equilibrium where MR = MC and may earn super-normal profits, normal profits, or incur losses.
  • In the long run, entry and exit of firms take place.
  • Due to competition, firms earn only normal profits, where AR is tangent to LAC at equilibrium.

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