If average total costs for a natural monopoly are declining where they intersect the demand curve, and government regulators set the price equal to marginal cost, then the firm will

You are the manager of a large crude-oil refinery. as part of the refining process, a certain heat exchanger (operated at high temperatures and with abrasive material flowing through it) must be replaced every year. the replacement and downtime cost in the first year is $165 comma 000. this cost is expected to increase due to inflation at a rate of 7% per year for six years (i.e. until the eoy 7), at which time this particular heat exchanger will no longer be needed. if the company's cost of capital is 15% per year, how much could you afford to spend for a higher quality heat exchanger so that these annual replacement and downtime costs could be eliminated?

You are the owner of a local honda dealership. unlike other dealerships in the area, you take pride in your “no haggle” sales policy. last year, your dealership earned record profits of $1.5 million. however, according to the local chamber of commerce, your earnings were 10 percent less than either of your competitors. in your market, the price elasticity of demand for midsized honda automobiles is 4.5. in each of the last five years, your dealership has sold more midsized automobiles than any other honda dealership in the nation. this entitled your dealership to an additional 30 percent off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (msrp) in each year. taking this into account, your marginal cost of a midsized automobile is $11,000. what price should you charge for a midsized automobile if you expect to maintain your record sales?

Why is job security of such importance to workers?