For many decades, the Royal Mail had a legal monopoly in the U.K. Companies in the postal business have increasing returns to scale, then constant returns to scale, and then decreasing returns to scale. The Royal Mail’s minimum average cost is £2 at 100 million deliveries and its minimum marginal cost is £1 at 75 million deliveries. The demand for postage is zero at a price of £10, and demand is 300 million deliveries at a price of £0. Marginal revenue is zero at a price of £10 and 150 at a price of £0. Note: Unless otherwise stated, the numerical answers in this question do not need to be exact but should correspond to how you have drawn your graph. The government makes a law restricting the price of postage to £1. Show the effect of this policy in the short-run in a new, large graph. The graph should show the firm’s average cost, marginal cost, marginal revenue, and consumer demand. How much postage is bought? Show on your graph if the Royal Mail is in profit or loss, and by how much.

Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
8th Edition
ISBN:9781337091992
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:N. Gregory Mankiw
Chapter14: Monopoly
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 3PA
icon
Related questions
Question

For many decades, the Royal Mail had a legal monopoly in the U.K. Companies in the
postal business have increasing returns to scale, then constant returns to scale, and
then decreasing returns to scale. The Royal Mail’s minimum average cost is £2 at 100
million deliveries and its minimum marginal cost is £1 at 75 million deliveries.
The demand for postage is zero at a price of £10, and demand is 300 million
deliveries at a price of £0. Marginal revenue is zero at a price of £10 and 150 at a
price of £0.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, the numerical answers in this question do not need to
be exact but should correspond to how you have drawn your graph.

The government makes a law restricting the price of postage to £1. Show the
effect of this policy in the short-run in a new, large graph. The graph should
show the firm’s average cost, marginal cost, marginal revenue, and consumer
demand. How much postage is bought? Show on your graph if the Royal Mail
is in profit or loss, and by how much.

Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps with 2 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Total Cost
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781337091992
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Microeconomics
Microeconomics
Economics
ISBN:
9781337617406
Author:
Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics
Economics
ISBN:
9781337617390
Author:
Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781337617383
Author:
Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:
Cengage Learning