If the distribution of water is a natural monopoly, then:. a. a single firm cannot serve the market at the lowest possible average total cost.
b. allowing for competition among different firms in the water-distribution industry is efficient.
c. average cost increases as the quantity of water produced increases.
d. multiple firms would likely each have to pay large fixed costs to develop their own network of pipes.

The owners of backstreets italian restaurant are considering starting a delivery service forpizza and their other italian dishes in the small college town where they are located. theycan purchase a used delivery van and have it painted with their name and logo for $21,500.they can hire part-time drivers who will work in the evenings from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for$8 per hour. the drivers are mostly college students who study at the restaurant when theyare not making deliveries. during the day, there are so few deliveries that the regular employeescan handle them. the owners estimate that the van will last 5 years (365 days per year)before it has to be replaced and that each delivery will cost about $1.35 in gas and othermaintenance costs (including tires, oil, scheduled service, they also estimate that onaverage each delivery order will cost $15 for direct labor and ingredients to prepare andpackage, and will generate $34 in revenue.a. how many delivery orders must backstreets make each month in order for the service to break even? b. the owners believe that if they have approximately the break-even number of deliveries during the week, they will at least double that number on fridays, saturdays, and sundays. if that’s the case, how much profit will they make, at a minimum, from their delivery service each month (4 weeks per month)?

Sharon had some insider information about a corporate takeover. she unintentionally informed a friend, who immediately bought the stock in the target corporation. the takeover occurred and the friend made a substantial profit from buying and selling the stock. the friend told sharon about his stock dealings, and gave her a pearl necklace because she "made it all possible." the necklace was worth $10,000, but she already owned more jewelry than she desired.

Financial information that is capable of making a difference in a decision is