MegaCable and Acme Are Competing for an Exclusive Contract to Provide

question 21

Multiple Choice

MegaCable and Acme are competing for an exclusive contract to provide the city of Dustin with cable television for the next year. The firm that wins the contract will earn an economic profit of $5 million. The contact will be awarded to the firm that spends the most on lobbying. If both firms spend the same amount on lobbying, then the winner will be determined by a coin flip, so each will have a 50 percent chance of winning.  
The socially optimal amount for each firm to spend on lobbying is ________.

• A)$0
• B)$2,500,000
• C)$5,000,000
• D)$10,000,000

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Definitions:

First-in

A term often used to describe inventory valuation methods, implying the first items produced or purchased are the first sold.

Materials

Raw substances or components that are used in the manufacturing process to produce goods.

Processing Cost

This is the expense incurred during the operation of converting raw materials into finished products, including labor and overhead costs.

Work in Process

Inventory that includes the materials, labor, and overhead costs for products that are in the production process but not yet complete.