STATE COUNCIL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH &TRAINING

VARUN MARG, DEFENCE COLONY, NEW DELHI

Question Bank With Solution

For Class XII
PGT (Economics)

Chief Advisor

Ms. Rashmi Krishnan, Director, SCERT

Advisors

Dr. Pratibha Sharma, Joint Director, SCERT

Mohammad Zamir, Principal, DIET Keshav Puram

Co- ordinators

Dr. Seema Srivastava, Sr. Lecturer, DIET, Moti Bagh

Ms. Meenakshi Yadav, Sr. Lecturer, SCERT

Contributors

Dr. Seema Srivastava, Sr. Lecturer, DIET, Moti Bagh

Ms. Meenakshi Yadav, Sr. Lecturer, SCERT

Mr Bharat Thakur, PGT (Economics) RPVV, Surajmal Vihar

 Support Material
For
Teachers
In
Economics – Class XII

Co-ordinators : Dr. Seema Srivastava

Ms. Meenakshi Yadav

Contributors : Dr. Seema Srivastava

Ms. Meenakshi Yadav
Mr.Bharat Thakur

Technical Support : Sh. Mukesh Yadav

Ms. Radha
 Question Bank
Economics – Class XII
Unit Coverage- 3&4 (Producers’ Equilibrium& Market Competition)

Abstract

Friends, till now we were uploading support material in content areas from the week-wise
syllabus from July, 2011.In this section we intend to give you different types of questions
based on Board pattern along with expected Answers /Solutions. Hope this will enable you
to prepare students accordingly. As preparing test - items for a balanced question paper is
an art, answering appropriately and precisely is also a skill which we have to equip our
children with. Understanding the question and using appropriate terminology. Language
for framing answers is very important for high scoring in examinations. This requires
practice and teachers play an important role in providing this skill in class rooms. This is
an exemplar, try your own question- bank preparation based on small section of content
covered.

I Question Bank (with Answer/Solution)

Producers Behavior and Supply

Very Short answer Type Questions (1 mark)

1 How does fall in total product affect marginal product?

2 Which Cost Curve is parallel to OX- axis? Why?

3 What do you mean by Fixed Factors of Production?

4 What is meant by Market Period?

5 What causes a downward Movement along the Curve?

6 When does the Elasticity of Supply of commodity is equal to Unity?

7 Draw TVC Curve.

8 “At Producers’ Equilibrium Marginal Cost should be falling.” True/ False. Give reason.

9 What happens to Supply of a Good when price of inputs used rise while producing the same ?
10 The vertical distance between ATC and AVC should fall or rise or remain constant with the
increase in output? Give reason.

11 In this formula what does P stand for?

II Short answer Type Questions (3-4 marks)

1 Draw ATC, AVC and MC Curves in single diagram.

2 Distinguish between Total Fixed Cost and Total Variable Cost.

3 What changes will take place in Total Revenue when:

a) Marginal Revenue is falling but is positive
b) Marginal Revenue is Zero
c) Marginal Revenue is negative

4 Find the level of output yielding maximum profit by MC and MR approach

Output 1 2 3 4 5
AR 10 9 8 7 6
TC 10 11 14 18 25

5 Define Marginal Revenue. Explain the relationship between Average and Marginal
Revenue when price is constant at all levels of output.

6 Complete the following table:

Output(Unit) Total Variable Average Variable Marginal Cost(Rs)

cost(Rs) Cost(Rs)
1 10 - -
- - 8 6
3 27 - -
- - 10 13

7 Following information is given about a firm:

Output(in 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
units)
Total 20 25 28 30 36 45 60
Cost(Rs)

From the above information find:

a) Average Fixed Cost of producing 4 units.
 b) Average Variable Cost of producing 5 units.
c) Marginal Cost of producing 3rd unit.
d) Average Cost of producing 6 units.

8 Whether statements are True or False? State reasons

i) As long as MC is rising, ATC will also rise.
ii) At an output of one unit, ATC is equal to MC.
iii) Total Revenue declines as long as Marginal Revenue is falling.

9 State three reasons of a Rightward Shift of a Supply Curve.

10 Using diagrams explain the difference between Contraction and Decrease in Supply.

11 In the diagram given below state the nature of Elasticity of Supply of the different
Supply Curve

12 A 20% rise in the price of commodity A leads to a rise in its supply from 400 to 500
units. Calculate its Elasticity of Supply and comment on it.

13 The Price elasticity of Supply of a commodity is 2. When its price falls from Rs 10 to
8 per unit, its Quantity Supplied falls by 500 units. Calculate the Quantity Supplied at
reduced price.

14 Using a diagram explain how a relatively flatter Supply curve has a higher Elasticity
of Supply for a given rise in price?

III Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks)

1. Explain the effect on output when only one input is increased?

2. Explain three factors that influence the Supply of Ice Creams in the market.

3. Using a hypothetical example, explain how the Market Supply Curve is determined
from Individual Supply Curve of three firms?
4. a) Explain the effect of technical progress on the supply of a good. Use diagram.
b) Using diagram explain the impact of drought on the Market Supply of wheat.

6 Explain the conditions of Producer’s Equilibrium with MC and MR approach. Use

schedule & diagram.

7 State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons:

a) Diminishing returns to a factor is applicable only when Average Product starts falling
b) AC and AVC Curves do not intersect each other
c) Supply remains constant in Market Period.

Answer/Solution

Unit 3: Producer Behavior and Supply

Very short Answer type Questions (1 Mark)

1. Marginal Product becomes negative

2. Total Fixed Cost curve is parallel to OX- axis because TFC is always positive even at
zero level of output.
3. Fixed factors are those factor inputs whose quantity does not change as level of output
changes.
4. The very short period when supply cannot be changed with the change in the price is
referred to as Market Period.
5. Fall in the price causes a downward movement along the supply curve.
6. When the value of the Co-efficient of Elasticity of supply is equal to one and supply
curve passes through origin is extended.

7. TVC Curve

8. False. At producers Equilibrium Marginal cost should be rising because falling MC

causes more profit.
9. The supply of good decreases as the cost of production rises with the increase in input
prices.
10. The vertical distance between ATC and AVC should fall with the increase in output
as the difference between ATC and AVC is AFC and that falls with increases in
output.
11. In the formula p stands for change in price (New price – Original price)
Short Answer Type Questions

Ans. 1 ATC, AVC and MC Curves

Note:

• The vertical distance between ATC & AVC should decreases with increase in
output.
• MC should cut AVC and ATC at its minimum point.
• The Minimum Point of AVC should come before minimum point of ATC.

2. Distinction between Total Fixed Cost &Total Variable Cost

Total Fixed Costs Total Variable Costs

Do not vary with the quantity of output Vary with the quantity of output produced
produced
Can never be zero in the short run. Have to Can fall to zero in the short run, as they are
be incurred even if production falls to zero directly related to the level of output
produced
Example :- Rent Example :- wages

3. The following changes will take place :

a) Total Revenue will rise at diminishing rate.
b) Total Revenue is maximum
c) Total Revenue falls

4
Output AR TC TR MC MR
1 10 10 10 - 10
2 9 11 18 1 8 MR>MC
3 8 14 24 3 6
4 7 18 28 4 4 Equilibrium MR= MC
5 6 25 30 7 2 MC>MR
At output level of 4 unit, the project is maximum as here MC = MR

5 Marginal Revenue of a firm is the additional revenue it earns when it sells an

additional unit of the output.

Marginal Revenue = Change in Total Revenue

Change in output

Since a Firm’s Price is constant, Marginal Revenue is also constant and AR also
remains constant and is equal to MR at all output levels. (P = AR). The AR and MR
curves are the same and are parallel to x- axis. (AR=MR=Price)

AR/MR AR = MR

0 x
Output
 6 Output TVC AVC MC
∑ MC = TVC or TVC TVC
AVC x Q Q Output

1 10 10 10
2 16 8 6
3 27 9 11
4 40 10 13

Output TC TFC TVC AFC AVC MC ATC

0 20 20 0 - 0 - -
1 25 20 5 20 5 5 25
2 28 20 8 10 4 3 14
3 30 20 10 6.6 3.3 2 10
4 36 20 16 5 4 6 9
5 45 20 25 4 5 9 9
6 60 20 40 3.3 6.6 15 10

Formula Used:

AFC = TFC , AVC = TVC , ATC = TC

Output Output Output

MC = TC TC at 0 level of output is TFC because TVC is 0 at this level.

Output

TC = TFC + TVC

I. False, AC can fall even when MC is rising when MC < AC and MC rising.
II. False, at an output of one unit ATC is equal to TC and MC is less than ATC as
MC is change in TVC only.
III. False, Total Revenue rising at diminishing rate when MR is falling but is positive.
TR falls only when MR is negative.
 9. Three causes of Rightward Shift of the Supply Curve.
I. Fall in Input Price
II. Improvement in Technology
III. Reduction in Taxation Rate

10. Difference between Contraction and Decrease in Supply

Contraction in Supply Decrease in Supply

A reduction in supply due to a fall in a A decrease in supply is defined as a situation

price of the commodity is termed as when the seller is willing to supply lesser of
contraction. quantity at the same price.

Contraction results in downward Decrease in supply results in leftward shift of

movement on the supply curve supply curve because of Increase in Input Price
or taxation rate etc.

There is a downward movement from A There is leftward shift of supply curve from SS
to B. When the price falls, from P to P1 to SS’ because of change in factors other than
and quantity supply at falls from Q to Q1. price.
11 y
SA

Price SB
SC

Quantity Supplied X

SA – Unitary Elastic Supply (ES=1)

SB - Elastic Supply (ES>1)
SC – Inelastic Supply (ES<1)

12
Elasticity of Supply = % Change in Quantity Supplied
% Change in Price

Where –
q1 – New Quantity
q0 – Old quantity
q1 – q0 X 100
q0
% Change in Price

OR

500-400
X 100
400
20

= 25 = 1.25
20

Elasticity of Supply is greater than 1, hence it is elastic.

13

Given -

ES = 2

p (Change in Price) New Price – Old Price

= - 2 (8 – 10)

Q (Change in Quantity Supplied)

= 500

New Supply - ?

q0 = 1250 Where

New quantity Q = Change in Quantity Supplied

1250 – 500 p = Change in Price

= 750 p = Original Price

q0 = Original quantity
 14

In the above diagram SA and SB are two Supply Curves. SB Curve is more flatter.
Elasticity of Supply measures impact of change in price on change in quantity
supplied. When price rises from OP to OP 1 than according to law of supply, supply
increases from Q to Q2 for Supply Curve SA and from Q to Q 1 for SB. Change in
Quantity Supplied is greater (Q – Q1) for the flatter supply curve SB.

Long Answers

1. The effect on output when only one input is increased and all other inputs are held
Constant relates to short period production function which is better known as Law of
Variable Proportion.

Statement

As additional units of a variable factor are combined with a given level of fixed factors
and technology, the marginal product of the variable factor first increases and then
decreases.

Phase I – TP increases at increasing Rate

This phase occur when Marginal Product is increasing. It ends at the point when MP is at
its maximum value. Here total product increases at increasing rate.

Phase II TP is increasing at a diminishing rate

In this phase the marginal product is declining but is positive. It occurs between the point at
which MP is at its maximum and ends when MP becomes zero.
Phase III
In the third phase the Marginal Product is declining and is negative. Here the total product
starts falling.

2. Three Factors affecting Supply of Ice Creams are as under:

Price of Input
The production of ice cream will depend on the prices of input required to make
ice cream i.e. milk, sugar, flavour etc. The increase in the price of input will lead to
increase in cost of production thus reduction in production and supply.

Improvement in Technology

Any betterment in the technology of producing ice cream will lead to reduction in
cost and increase in production and supply.

Government Taxation Policy

The various Indirect Taxes by the government on the production and sales of goods
affect the cost of production. More Taxes less Supply and Less Taxes more
supply.

Ans : 3
Market Supply is the collective supply of all individual firms of a given commodity at a
given price at a given time period.

Market Supply Schedule for ice creams Market

Per unit Price (Rs.) Quantity Supplied Quantity Supplied Supply
(A+B)
by Mother Dairy by Amul
(A) (B)

20 5 20 25
30 10 30 40
40
40 15 40 55
55

Quantities of firm A & B has been horizontally added to find Market Supply
Market Supply Curve

It is the graphical representation of the quantity of a community that all firms in a

market are willing to supply at a given price at a given time, assuming all
other factors influencing supply are held constant.

4 (a) Effect of technical progress on the supply of good

The betterment of technology reduces the cost per unit of production. This leads to
firm’s profit maximization and there is increase in the supply.
4 (b) Impact of Drought on Market Supply of Wheat: The drought will result in less
production of wheat which further cause less supply. So the supply S Curve will shift
leftwards to S1.

5. Producer’s Equilibrium is the level of output produced and sold by a firm that
maximizes its profit.
According to MC- MR Approach, the level of output that maximizes the profit should
fulfill two conditions.

Condition -1 – Marginal Revenue = Marginal Cost

Output (Amt) MR(Rs) MC(RS)
1 10 5
2 10 3 MR>MC; Profit earned in the last unit, overall profit is
3 10 2 increasing, therefore increase output
 4 10 5
5 10 7
6 10 10 MR=MC= Producer’s Equilibrium
7 10 13 MR<MC Loss on the last unit overall profit is
decreasing;
8 10 15 therefore, decrease output.

Condition-2
Marginal Cost should be rising – As long as Marginal Cost is falling producers’ keep on
maximising profit. So it is only when MC rises and becomes more than MR, producer’s start
incurring loss.

6 (a) False . Diminishing Returns to factor starts when the Marginal Cost start falling. At
this point Average Cost is rising because MC>AC.

(b) True. AC and AVC curve can not intersect each other though the vertical distance
between them keeps on reducing with Increase in output. The reason behind this is falling
AFC which can not be zero as TFC cannot be zero.

(C) True . Supply remains constant in the Market Period because Market Period is the
time period when supply can not be changed to any change in the price level. The time is
very short for any changes.
 QUESTIONS ON MARKET COMPETITION AND MARKET

EQUILIBRIUM (PRICE DETERMINATION)

Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark)

1 Under which market form a firm is a Price Taker?
2 Draw a Demand Curve under Perfect Competition.
3 Define Equilibrium price.
4 When does the situation of excess supply Curve arise?
5 What is the Profit Maximisation condition for Perfect Competition?

Short Answer Questions (3-4 marks)

1 Why is a firm under Perfect Competition a price taker?
2 Explain three feature of Perfect Competition.
3 Explain the determination of Equilibrium Price under Perfect Competition with the help of
Schedule.
4 Show that an increase in demand leads to a fall in the price of the commodity.
5 Diagrammatically represent the impact of a decrease in Supply on Equilibrium Price.
6 What will be the impact of increase in excise duty on the Equilibrium Price and Quantity of a
Commodity? Use diagram.
7 Explain the feature’ Large number of firms and Buyers under Perfect competition’.

Long Answer Questions ( 6marks)

1. How does an increase in price of Steel affect the equilibrium price and quantity of
cars? Explain with the help of diagram.
2. With the help of a diagram explain how a rise in the income level impacts the
Equilibrium Price of shirts.
3. “There is a Simultaneous change in demand and supply of a Commodity and
Equilibrium price increases”. Explain this with the help of a example.
4. Explain the following features of Perfect competition:
a) Large number of firms and buyers

b) Homogeneous Product
 ANSWERS OF PERFECT COMPETITION AND MARKET

EQUILIBRIUM (PRICE DETERMINATION)

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (01 MARK)

1. Under Perfect Competition a firm is a price taker.

2. Demand Curve under a Perfect Competition.

Price AR/ Demand Curve

3. Equilibrium Price is the price of a commodity at which its quantity demanded equals
to quantity supplied in the market.
4. The situation of Excess supply arise when at a given price, the market supply of a
commodity is more than its market demand.
5. The firm maximises profit in perfect competition where MR = MC since AR = MR in
perfect competition. So we can also say P = AR = MR = MC

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3-4 Marks)

1. FIRM IS A PRICE TAKER IN PERFECT COMPETITION

A seller is a price taker in perfect competition. In perfect competition, there are a
large number of buyers and sellers in the Market. Each seller sells so little and each
buyers buys so little that none of them is able to influence the price in the market. The
Industry as a whole determines the price with two market forces demand and supply.
Ans 2. Three Features of Perfect Competition:
i) Very Large number of Buers and Sellers:There is such a large number of buyers
and sellers that none of them is in a position to influence the price in a market. The
price of good is determined by the whole industry.

Homogeneous Product: Product sold in this kind of market are homogeneous or

identical in every respect like quality, size, design, colour etc. The products are
perfect substitutes of one- another.

iii) Free Entry and Exit: Buyers and sellers are free to enter or leave the market
at any time they like large profit will induce firms into the market and loss exit if any.

3 Determination of Equilibrium price under Perfect competition: Price is

determined in a perfectly competitive market at a point where Market Demand is
equal to Market Supply.

Demand and Supply Schedule

Price (Rs) Market Demand Market Supply Situation
20 120 40 Demand>Supply
30 100 60 Demand>Supply
40 80 80 Demand=Supply
50 60 100 Demand<Supply
60 40 120 Demand<Supply

In the schedule given above, at the price of Rs 40 per unit the demand and supply are equal to
each other. Before this point there is competition among the buyers and therefore prices rise
till Demand and Supply are not equal once again. In case of Excess supply, there is
competition amongst sellers which leads to the fall in the price till it reach to equilibrium
level.

4. Increase in Demand leads to a fall in the price of the commodity.

 This can happen when increase in supply is more than increase in Demand. In the diagram
the initial equilibrium is at E point where OP is the price and OQ is the quantity. Then
demand curve shifts to its right due to increase in supply, which is more than increase in
demand. Due to this change price falls to P1 and new equilibrium point is E1, where the
market price is OP1 and Market equilibrium quantity is OQ1.

5 Impact of a decrease in Supply on Equilibrium Price and Quantity when

demand is perfectly elastic.

In the above diagram initial market equilibrium is achieved at E point where market
price is OP and Market equilibrium quantity OQ. When supply decreases and shifts to
left new equilibrium point is achieved at E1 point where Market Price OP remains
same but the quantity is reduced from OQ to OQ1.

6 . Impact of increase in excise duty on the equilibrium price and quantity of a

commodity.

Any increase in the rate of excise duty by the government will increase cost of production for
the producer. This will result in decrease in supply.
The decrease in supply creates the situation of Excess Demand. Competition amongst buyers
raises the price till Demand and Supply are once again equal. Price rise results in extension in
supply and contraction in demand. New Market equilibrium establishes at E1 point.

7 Large numbers of buyers and sellers under perfect competition

There is large number of buyers and sellers, each firm or seller in a Perfectly
Competitive market- forms an insignificant part of the market. So, no single seller
has the ability to determine or influence the price at which commodity is sold.
The forces of market demand and supply determine the price. So a firm is a Price
Taker while an industry is Price Maker.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTION

1. With the increase in the price of steel the marginal cost of production of car will
increase. This will result in decrease in supply. Assuming that Demand for the car
remains constant the market equilibrium price will rise.

In the above diagram with Left ward shift of supply curve the price goes up from
OP to OP1 and quantity falls to OQ to OQ1.
2. With a rise in the Income Levels of the consumer, the demand for the product will
increase. This will result in a rightward shift of demand curve. Assuming supply to be
constant, the rise in demand creates excess demand. This will cause competition
among the buyers and sellers.
 The price will rise till demand and Supply are once again equal. So the Market
Equilibrium price as well as quantity will rise. In diagram initial equilibrium price OP
rises to OP1 and quantity OQ to Q2.
3. There is a simultaneous change in demand and supply of a commodity and
equilibrium price increases. This can happen in following two situations-

a. When the supply of a commodity increases less than the increase in demand, then
the equilibrium price Increases (P-P1) and the equilibrium quantity also increases
(Q-Q1).
 b. When the supply of a commodity decreases more than the decrease in demand,
then equilibrium price (P-P1) increases and equilibrium quantity decreases (Q-Q1)

4 (a) Very large number of firms and buyers

There are a very large number of buyers and sellers in this form of market. No
individual buyer can influence the market price. Similarly, each firm or seller in a
perfectly competitive market forms an insignificant part of the market. So, no single
seller has the ability to determine the price at which the commodity is sold. It is the
market forces of Demand and Supply that determine the price of a commodity, so firms
become price taker and industry becomes price maker.

(b) Homogeneous Product

In a perfectly competitive market, firm sell homogeneous products. Homogeneous

products are identical in all respects i.e. there is no difference in packaging, quality,
color etc. They are perfect- substitutes for each other. Since the product of one firm has
a large number of identical substitutes available for it, demand is Perfectly Elastic.