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Library AP Microeconomics Unit 4: Imperfect Competition
⁂   AP Microeconomics · Unit 4

4. Imperfect Competition

15–22% of the AP exam. Key topics: Monopoly: downward-sloping demand curve, MR below demand, Monopoly profit maximization: MR = MC → find Q, then go up to demand for P, Monopoly economic profit, consumer surplus loss, and deadweight loss, Natural monopoly: ATC still falling; socially optimal vs. fair-return (average-cost) pricing, Price discrimination: first-degree (perfect), second-degree (quantity discounts), third-degree (market segmentation), Monopolistic competition: short-run profit or loss, long-run zero economic profit, Monopolistic competition: excess capacity and product differentiation, Oligopoly: mutual interdependence and strategic behavior, Collusion, cartels, and incentives to cheat, Game theory: payoff matrices, dominant strategy, Nash equilibrium, Prisoners' dilemma and its implications for oligopoly behavior.

12 instructional periods 15–22% exam weight standard track

Unit 4: Imperfect Competition

Study guide content for this unit is being prepared. Check back soon for complete lesson notes, formula sheets, and worked examples.

Topics in this unit

  • Monopoly: downward-sloping demand curve, MR below demand
  • Monopoly profit maximization: MR = MC → find Q, then go up to demand for P
  • Monopoly economic profit, consumer surplus loss, and deadweight loss
  • Natural monopoly: ATC still falling; socially optimal vs. fair-return (average-cost) pricing
  • Price discrimination: first-degree (perfect), second-degree (quantity discounts), third-degree (market segmentation)
  • Monopolistic competition: short-run profit or loss, long-run zero economic profit
  • Monopolistic competition: excess capacity and product differentiation
  • Oligopoly: mutual interdependence and strategic behavior
  • Collusion, cartels, and incentives to cheat
  • Game theory: payoff matrices, dominant strategy, Nash equilibrium
  • Prisoners' dilemma and its implications for oligopoly behavior