Final answer:
The demand curve faced by a monopolistically competitive firm is downward-sloping, whereas that facing a purely competitive firm is perfectly elastic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The demand curve faced by a monopolistically competitive firm is downward-sloping, whereas that facing a purely competitive firm is perfectly elastic. The demand curve faced by a monopolistically competitive firm is downward-sloping, whereas that facing a purely competitive firm is perfectly elastic.
A monopolistically competitive firm is a price maker and chooses a combination of price and quantity, so its perceived demand curve is downward-sloping. On the other hand, a purely competitive firm faces a perfectly elastic demand curve because it can sell any quantity it wishes at the prevailing market price.