Whether a monopolist is able to increase his revenue by restricting his output depends on the shape of the_________

The shape of the demand curve determines whether a monopolist is able to increase their revenue by restricting output. A monopolist is the only seller in the market and has some control over the price of the good or service they provide. If the demand for their product is high, they can increase the price, and if they restrict the quantity of the product they supply, the price will go up even more. The demand curve shows the relationship between the price of a good and the quantity of it that consumers are willing and able to buy. If the demand curve is downward sloping, it means that as the price of the good increases, the quantity demanded decreases. This is because consumers will switch to cheaper alternatives when the price of the good goes up. So, if the monopolist restricts their output, the price will go up and they will make more profit as long as the demand curve remains downward sloping. However, if the demand curve becomes perfectly inelastic, meaning that the quantity demanded does not change with the price, then the monopolist will not be able to increase their revenue by restricting output. Therefore, in simple terms, the shape of the demand curve determines whether a monopolist can increase their revenue by restricting output.