Calculating Marginal Revenue: Qx-y Formula

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating marginal revenue in the context of economics, specifically using the relationship between quantity sold, price, and marginal cost. Participants explore the definitions and implications of marginal revenue and marginal cost in relation to net profit.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between quantity, price, and marginal cost, questioning how to express marginal revenue and maximize net profit using calculus. There are attempts to define marginal revenue and marginal cost in calculus terms, along with inquiries about the conditions for maximizing net profit.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided definitions and relationships between the variables involved, while others express uncertainty about the economic concepts and their application. There is an ongoing exploration of the calculus involved in determining maximum net profit, with no explicit consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes discomfort with the economics aspect of the problem, indicating a potential gap in foundational knowledge that may affect their understanding of the discussion.

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Homework Statement


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Homework Equations


marginal revenue[/B] (R') is the additional revenue that will be generated by increasing product sales by one unit

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know how to start. Q is the number of items sold at price x. y is the marginal cost, the cost of producing one item. N is the net profit, the revenue (my english isn't perfect so i explain each variable) ##~N=Q(x-y)~##.
The derivative N' is the marginal revenue, no?
Q, x and y are variables. x and y can change according to Q, because if i produce more i can lower the price i charge (x) and also the cost y.
How do i express marginal revenue?
 

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Quantity sold/quantity produced ## Q=Q(P) ##, meaning ## Q ## is a function of ## P ##, where ## Q## is the quantity sold at price ##P ##. ## \\ ## Revenue ## R=Q \cdot P ##. ## \\ ## The cost to make ## Q ## items is a function of ## Q ##, so that ## C=C(Q) ##. ## \\ ## Net profit ## N=R-C ##. ## \\ ## Since ## Q=Q(P) ##, we can also write it in the form ## P=P(Q) ##, i.e. ## P ## is a function of ## Q ##. Thereby, revenue ## R=Q \cdot P=Q \cdot P(Q) ## is a function of ## Q ##, so we can write ## R=R(Q) ##. ## \\ ## We see that ## N=N(Q)=R(Q)-C(Q) ##. ## \\ ## How do we maximize ## N ##, using calculus? Also, what is the definition of marginal revenue, using calculus? And what is the definition of marginal cost, using calculus? ## \\ ## Once we find the ## Q ## where marginal revenue =marginal cost, we can then go to the function ## P=P(Q) ##, the inverse function of ## Q=Q(P) ##, to determine what price we should charge. The net profit ## N ## will be maximized at that selling price.
 
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Marginal revenue=R':
$$R=Q \cdot P=Q \cdot P(Q)~\rightarrow~R'=P(Q)+Q\cdot P'(Q)$$
Marginal cost=C': ##~C=C(Q)~\rightarrow~C'=C'(Q)##
Marginal revenue=marginal cost: ##~P(Q)+Q\cdot P'(Q)=C'(Q)##
It doesn't help. C=C(Q) needn't be ##~C=Q\cdot k~##, the more items you make it's cheaper for each item.
And also, i have to prove that when Marginal revenue=marginal cost N is biggest
 
The maximum or minimum in ## N ## occurs when ## \frac{dN}{dQ}=0 ##. Buy the above, this clearly is when ## \frac{dR}{dQ}-\frac{dC}{dQ}= 0 ## so that ## \frac{dR}{dQ}=\frac{dC}{dQ} ##. The marginal revenue calculus definition is ## \frac{dR}{dQ} ##. Similarly, the marginal cost calculus definition is ## \frac{dC}{dQ} ##. I basically gave you the complete proof... ## \\ ## I have not proven that it is indeed a maximum. If you can show ## \frac{d^2 N}{dQ^2} <0 ##, then it is a maximum.
 
Thank you Charles, this is the proof.
I am not familiar with economics and i felt uncomfortable with this question
 
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