Question

Assume there is an increase in the number of consumers in the market for a good sold by perfectly competitive firms that are initially producing the profit-maximizing level of output. For the individual firm, this would result in:a. a decrease in price and increase in the profit-maximizing quantity of output.b. an increase in both price and the profit-maximizing quantity of output.c. an increase in price and decrease in profit-maximizing quantity of output.d. a decrease in both price and the profit-maximizing quantity of output.

Answer 1

Option (B) is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Number of consumers in the market is one of the determinants of demand which shifts the demand curve.

In a perfectly competitive market, if there is an increase in the number of consumers in the market then as a result the demand for the product also increases which shifts the demand curve rightwards.

This rightward shift in the demand curve will result in an increase in both equilibrium price and equilibrium quantity which is also a profit maximizing quantity of output.