GMAT Exam  >  GMAT Questions  >  In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline... Start Learning for Free
In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.
Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?
  • a)
    MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.
  • b)
    There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.
  • c)
    The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.
  • d)
    The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.
  • e)
    The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).
Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's reven...
In answering this question, we must keep separate revenue and profit. Further, we must separate revenue from all other aspects of the business. It is important to keep in mind that MicroChip's efforts are aimed at increasing revenue so any assumption that does not pertain to revenue is almost certainly unnecessary.
A. This answer addresses "enabling the firm to survive in the long-term." However, the original argument deals with "an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue." In other words, this answer deals with the ability of the firm to survive in the long-term and retain customers instead of addressing how the company will increase its revenue (which is different from the number of customers or the level of profitability). It is not necessary to make an assumption about long-term survival in order to make a conclusion about increasing revenue.
B. Even if there were other companies with lower prices, as long as the other companies do not further lower their prices, it will not affect MicroChip's ability to increase its demand and revenue. Further, the original argument only deals with MicroChip's attempt to increase its revenue. In other words, the original argument deals with MicroChip's ability to raise its revenue on absolute terms→not its ability to raise revenue more than rivals. It is not necessary to make an assumption about other firms' prices in order to make a conclusion about increasing MicroChip's revenue.
C. Although this would improve MicroChip's revenue, it is not a necessary assumption underlying MicroChip's strategy of offering a discount as the company did not need to offer a discount to increase revenue if it assumed the government would stimulate demand on its own. In other words, if MicroChip assumed the government would stimulate demand, MicroChip would not have offered a discount for the discount would not have been necessary.
D. This answer does not address an assumption that underlies increasing revenue, but rather legality. Further, the answer does not state that MicroChip's actions violate a law. Finally, even if the government pursued charges, this would not necessarily decrease revenue (although it would certainly decrease profit as MicroChip would incur legal fees etc.).
E. This answer contains the assumption that directly relates to MicroChip's attempt to increase its revenue. In order for the decrease in price to increase total revenue, the volume of sales must increase as total revenue equals price multiplied by volume.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's reven...

Assumptions underlying MicroChip's offer of a discount:




Expected Increase in Demand:
- The assumption is that the decrease in revenue resulting from the reduction in price will be offset by the anticipated increase in demand. This means that the overall revenue will not significantly decrease due to the discount.




Revenue Impact:
- MicroChip believes that the discounted prices will attract more customers, leading to higher sales volume. The assumption is that the increase in sales volume will compensate for the reduced prices, resulting in overall revenue growth.




Long-term Survival:
- MicroChip anticipates that offering a discount will help retain existing customers and attract new ones. The underlying assumption is that this strategy will enable the company to survive the economic recession in the long term by maintaining and growing its customer base.




Competitive Landscape:
- The assumption does not rely on the absence of lower-priced competitors. Instead, it focuses on the potential increase in demand due to the discount, regardless of the competitive pricing in the market.




Legal Compliance:
- The assumption is not based on potential legal consequences or government actions related to predatory pricing laws. Instead, it centers on the expected positive impact of the discount on revenue and customer acquisition.




In conclusion, the primary assumption underlying MicroChip's offer of a discount is that the increase in demand resulting from the reduced prices will outweigh the negative impact on revenue, leading to overall growth and long-term survival.
Attention GMAT Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed GMAT study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in GMAT.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Similar GMAT Doubts

Most research on the subject has assumed that users of new technologies learn about and modify new technologies gradually. This assumption underlies the concept of the learning curve, a familiar model which presumes that learners gain knowledge in a continuous and highly regular progression over time.However, when a new technology is introduced into a particular sector of a company, the process of learning about and modifying that technology may not, in fact, be continuous. In general, the introduction of new technology into ongoing operations triggers an initial burst of learning or adaptive activity as users explore the technology and attempt to resolve unexpected problems. Such intense activity is often short-lived, however, with users effort and attention declining dramatically after the first few months. This rapid decline tends to occur even when serious problems remain unresolved, a trend which suggests that the dramatic falloff in learning or adaptive activity shortly after new technology is introduced does not reflect users having mastered the new technology. The period of intense activity by users is typically followed by one in which users return their attention to their customary production tasks, though using the new technology to accomplish those tasks. Later on, particularly when challenges related to the new technology arise, users often turn their attention back to the new technology, initiating additional spurts of learning or adaptive activity. In many cases, this pattern continues over time, with brief periods of learning or adaptation followed by longer periods of relatively routine use.Understanding that the pattern of user learning and adaptation is discontinuous can yield important benefits. Managers who anticipate and plan for intense user activity when a new technology is first introduced are better able to exploit the surge of energy and user motivation that usually occurs at the start of a project when improvements are easiest to implement, and major problems are most obvious. Moreover, by attempting to confine major modifications to start- up periods, such managers can better realize the benefits of periods of routine usage of the technology, during which productivity typically begins to increase and the effectiveness of previous modifications can be assessed.The passage is primarily concerned with

Most research on the subject has assumed that users of new technologies learn about and modify new technologies gradually. This assumption underlies the concept of the learning curve, a familiar model which presumes that learners gain knowledge in a continuous and highly regular progression over time.However, when a new technology is introduced into a particular sector of a company, the process of learning about and modifying that technology may not, in fact, be continuous. In general, the introduction of new technology into ongoing operations triggers an initial burst of learning or adaptive activity as users explore the technology and attempt to resolve unexpected problems. Such intense activity is often short-lived, however, with users effort and attention declining dramatically after the first few months. This rapid decline tends to occur even when serious problems remain unresolved, a trend which suggests that the dramatic falloff in learning or adaptive activity shortly after new technology is introduced does not reflect users having mastered the new technology. The period of intense activity by users is typically followed by one in which users return their attention to their customary production tasks, though using the new technology to accomplish those tasks. Later on, particularly when challenges related to the new technology arise, users often turn their attention back to the new technology, initiating additional spurts of learning or adaptive activity. In many cases, this pattern continues over time, with brief periods of learning or adaptation followed by longer periods of relatively routine use.Understanding that the pattern of user learning and adaptation is discontinuous can yield important benefits. Managers who anticipate and plan for intense user activity when a new technology is first introduced are better able to exploit the surge of energy and user motivation that usually occurs at the start of a project when improvements are easiest to implement, and major problems are most obvious. Moreover, by attempting to confine major modifications to start- up periods, such managers can better realize the benefits of periods of routine usage of the technology, during which productivity typically begins to increase and the effectiveness of previous modifications can be assessed.According to information contained in the passage, the author would be most likely to make which of the following recommendations to managers who are introducing a new technology into the workplace?

Most research on the subject has assumed that users of new technologies learn about and modify new technologies gradually. This assumption underlies the concept of the learning curve, a familiar model which presumes that learners gain knowledge in a continuous and highly regular progression over time.However, when a new technology is introduced into a particular sector of a company, the process of learning about and modifying that technology may not, in fact, be continuous. In general, the introduction of new technology into ongoing operations triggers an initial burst of learning or adaptive activity as users explore the technology and attempt to resolve unexpected problems. Such intense activity is often short-lived, however, with users effort and attention declining dramatically after the first few months. This rapid decline tends to occur even when serious problems remain unresolved, a trend which suggests that the dramatic falloff in learning or adaptive activity shortly after new technology is introduced does not reflect users having mastered the new technology. The period of intense activity by users is typically followed by one in which users return their attention to their customary production tasks, though using the new technology to accomplish those tasks. Later on, particularly when challenges related to the new technology arise, users often turn their attention back to the new technology, initiating additional spurts of learning or adaptive activity. In many cases, this pattern continues over time, with brief periods of learning or adaptation followed by longer periods of relatively routine use.Understanding that the pattern of user learning and adaptation is discontinuous can yield important benefits. Managers who anticipate and plan for intense user activity when a new technology is first introduced are better able to exploit the surge of energy and user motivation that usually occurs at the start of a project when improvements are easiest to implement, and major problems are most obvious. Moreover, by attempting to confine major modifications to start- up periods, such managers can better realize the benefits of periods of routine usage of the technology, during which productivity typically begins to increase and the effectiveness of previous modifications can be assessed.According to information contained in the passage, the author would be most likely to describe the process by which users learn about and adapt to new technology as

Most research on the subject has assumed that users of new technologies learn about and modify new technologies gradually. This assumption underlies the concept of the learning curve, a familiar model which presumes that learners gain knowledge in a continuous and highly regular progression over time.However, when a new technology is introduced into a particular sector of a company, the process of learning about and modifying that technology may not, in fact, be continuous. In general, the introduction of new technology into ongoing operations triggers an initial burst of learning or adaptive activity as users explore the technology and attempt to resolve unexpected problems. Such intense activity is often short-lived, however, with users effort and attention declining dramatically after the first few months. This rapid decline tends to occur even when serious problems remain unresolved, a trend which suggests that the dramatic falloff in learning or adaptive activity shortly after new technology is introduced does not reflect users having mastered the new technology. The period of intense activity by users is typically followed by one in which users return their attention to their customary production tasks, though using the new technology to accomplish those tasks. Later on, particularly when challenges related to the new technology arise, users often turn their attention back to the new technology, initiating additional spurts of learning or adaptive activity. In many cases, this pattern continues over time, with brief periods of learning or adaptation followed by longer periods of relatively routine use.Understanding that the pattern of user learning and adaptation is discontinuous can yield important benefits. Managers who anticipate and plan for intense user activity when a new technology is first introduced are better able to exploit the surge of energy and user motivation that usually occurs at the start of a project when improvements are easiest to implement, and major problems are most obvious. Moreover, by attempting to confine major modifications to start- up periods, such managers can better realize the benefits of periods of routine usage of the technology, during which productivity typically begins to increase and the effectiveness of previous modifications can be assessed.The author of the passage most likely mentions "the learning curve" in the highlighted text for which of the following reasons?

Top Courses for GMAT

In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?a)MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.b)There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.c)The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.d)The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.e)The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?a)MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.b)There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.c)The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.d)The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.e)The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?a)MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.b)There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.c)The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.d)The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.e)The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?a)MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.b)There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.c)The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.d)The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.e)The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?a)MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.b)There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.c)The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.d)The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.e)The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?a)MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.b)There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.c)The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.d)The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.e)The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?a)MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.b)There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.c)The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.d)The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.e)The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?a)MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.b)There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.c)The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.d)The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.e)The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?a)MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.b)There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.c)The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.d)The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.e)The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice In an attempt to abate the pernicious decline in MicroChip's revenue brought about by shrinking demand that is accompanying an economic recession, MicroChip is offering customers a 50% discount for the next three months on all purchases fully paid for within 15 days.Q. Which of the following assumptions most underlies the chip maker's offer of a discount?a)MicroChip expects this discount to help the company retain existing customers and gain new ones, enabling the firm to survive in the long-term.b)There are no other competing chip companies with prices lower than the reduced price.c)The government will provide massive technology tax credits to businesses, spurring them to purchase chips and other related products.d)The government will not pursue MircoChip if in fact its behavior in offering a deep discount amounts to a violation of predatory pricing laws.e)The decrease in revenue brought about by the reduction in price will be smaller than the anticipated increase in revenue brought about by the increase in demand (spurred by the reduction in price).Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev