Suppose that at 500 units of output a firm is producing such that marginal revenue is equal to marginal cost. The firm is selling its output at $6 per unit and average total cost at 500 units of output is $5. On the basis of this information we:

A) can say that the firm should close down in the short run
B) can say that the firm is maximizing profit in the short run
C) cannot determine whether the firm should produce or shut down in the short run
D) can assume the firm is not using the most efficient technology

Garrett is an executive vice president at samm hardware. he researches a proposal by a larger company, maximum hardware, to combine the two companies. by analyzing past performance, conducting focus groups, and interviewing maximum employees, garrett concludes that maximum has poor profit margins, sells shoddy merchandise, and treats customers poorly. what actions should garrett and samm hardware take? a. turn down the acquisition offer and prepare to resist a hostile takeover. b. attempt a friendly merger and use managerial hubris to improve results at maximum. c. welcome the acquisition and use knowledge transfer to impart sam hardware's management practices. d. do nothing; the two companies cannot combine without samm hardware's explicit consent.