What does a monopoly typically do in a market with inelastic demand?

In a market with inelastic demand, consumers are not very sensitive to price changes; therefore, a monopoly can raise prices without significantly affecting the quantity demanded. This scenario allows the monopoly to maximize its profits because even if prices increase, most consumers will continue to buy the product since they perceive it as essential or have no close substitutes.

The behavior of a monopoly contrasts sharply with that of firms in competitive markets, where price reductions and consumer sensitivity typically dictate pricing strategies. Inelastic demand means that the monopoly can exercise greater market power by increasing prices, resulting in higher revenue with little to no loss of sales volume. This pricing strategy works well in situations where the product is a necessity or where switching costs deter consumers from seeking alternatives.

While other options may represent activities a monopoly could potentially engage in, they do not align with the immediate profit-maximizing behavior in the context of inelastic demand. For instance, reducing prices would not make sense in this scenario as it would lead to reduced revenue. Expanding the product range and investing in research are strategies that might be pursued for long-term growth or innovation but do not directly relate to the immediate response to inelastic demand conditions.