Using a graph, show a short-run equilibrium for the industry and the firm. Explain the graph.

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER:

In the above figure, the industry demand and supply curves intersect vertically above Q, where Q is quantity produced and sold at price P. The firm takes P as given, and chooses to produce q units since this is where MR = MC. Average revenue at q is aq and average total cost is bq, so average profit is ab and total profit is Pabc.