In the gas industry, each firm chooses the output level to produce and price is determined by aggregate output. Market demand is given by p = 10-Q, with Q being the aggregate output. In the gas industry, there are two firms: GasA and GasB. Firms face the same total cost function: TC = 4q, where i = {A, B}. a) Assuming that the firms simultaneously choose their output levels, compute firm-level output and profits in the market equilibrium, as well as the consumer surplus in equilibrium. b) Assume now that the two firms decide to merge. In this case, the merging process requires an administrative cost equal to 2, independently of the quantities the two firms produce after the merger. Moreover, the merger will reduce the marginal cost of the merged entity to 1, due to synergies. Firms split the profit of the merger equally. Compute firm-level output, profit and consumer surplus in the merger scenario. Do firms A and B have incentive to merge? If yes, should the Competition Commission allow this merger to occur based on the consumer surplus standard? Explain your answer.

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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In the gas industry, each firm chooses the output level to produce and price is determined by aggregate output. Market
demand is given by p = 10-Q, with Q being the aggregate output. In the gas industry, there are two firms: GasA and GasB.
Firms face the same total cost function: TC₁ = 4q₁, where i = {A, B}.
a) Assuming that the firms simultaneously choose their output levels, compute firm-level output and profits in the market
equilibrium, as well as the consumer surplus in equilibrium.
b) Assume now that the two firms decide to merge. In this case, the merging process requires an administrative cost equal to
2, independently of the quantities the two firms produce after the merger. Moreover, the merger will reduce the marginal
cost of the merged entity to 1, due to synergies. Firms split the profit of the merger equally. Compute firm-level output, profits
and consumer surplus in the merger scenario. Do firms A and B have incentive to merge? If yes, should the Competition
Commission allow this merger to occur based on the consumer surplus standard? Explain your answer.
Transcribed Image Text:In the gas industry, each firm chooses the output level to produce and price is determined by aggregate output. Market demand is given by p = 10-Q, with Q being the aggregate output. In the gas industry, there are two firms: GasA and GasB. Firms face the same total cost function: TC₁ = 4q₁, where i = {A, B}. a) Assuming that the firms simultaneously choose their output levels, compute firm-level output and profits in the market equilibrium, as well as the consumer surplus in equilibrium. b) Assume now that the two firms decide to merge. In this case, the merging process requires an administrative cost equal to 2, independently of the quantities the two firms produce after the merger. Moreover, the merger will reduce the marginal cost of the merged entity to 1, due to synergies. Firms split the profit of the merger equally. Compute firm-level output, profits and consumer surplus in the merger scenario. Do firms A and B have incentive to merge? If yes, should the Competition Commission allow this merger to occur based on the consumer surplus standard? Explain your answer.
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