Answer:
1. The the optimal number of bran muffins to sell in a single package is 4 units.
2. The optimal package price is $2.
Explanation:
Under the theory of production in Economics, optimal quantity is obtained when price (P) is equal to the marginal cost (MC) (i.e. when P = MC).
From the question, we have:
P = 8 - 1.5Q .................................... (1)
C(Q) = 2.0Q .................................. (2)
To obtain MC, C(Q) in equation (2) is differentiated with respect to Q as follows:
MC = C'(Q) = 2 ............................ (3)
We will equate equate (1) and (3) to have:
P = MC
8 - 1.5Q = 2
Rearrange and solve for Q:
1.5Q = 8 - 2
1.5Q = 6
Q = 6 ÷ 1.5
Q = 4.0
Therefore, the optimal number of bran muffins to sell in a single package is 4 units.
Substitute Q = 4 into equation (1), we have:
P = 8 - (1.5 × 4) = 8 - 6 = 2.0
Therefore, the optimal package price is $2.0.