3.6

Firms' Short-Run Decisions to Produce and Long-Run Decisions to Enter or Exit

AP Microeconomics

Short-Run Decision: Produce or Shut Down?

The Shutdown Rule

Decision Tree

123456789101234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950Quantity$/unitBreak-even (P=ATC)Shutdown (P=AVC)MCATCAVC

Break-even price = min ATC; Shutdown price = min AVC

Three Price Zones

The Firm's Short-Run Supply Curve

Long-Run Decision: Enter or Exit?

Entry and Exit Conditions

How Entry Affects the Market

How Exit Affects the Market

Worked Example: Short-Run to Long-Run

Shutdown vs. Exit

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Common Mistakes