In: Economics
Suppose market demand and supply are given by Qd= 400-12P and Qs= -20 + 8P. If a price floor of $20.00 is imposed,
The price floor is fixed at price of $20.
Calculate the market demand at the price floor -
Qd = 400 - 12P
Qd = 400 - (12 * 20)
Qd = 400 - 240
Qd = 160
The market demand at the price floor is 160 units.
Calculate the market supply at the price floor -
Qs = -20 + 8P
Qs = -20 + (8 * 20)
Qs = -20 + 160
Qs = 140
The market supply at price floor is 140 units.
In the given case, at the price floor, market demand exceeds the market supply.
It should be noted that price floor can only be effective when the price floor is fixed at a price that is greater than the equilibrium price.
So, price floor resulted in a price that is greater than the equilibrium price.
At a price greater than the equilibrium price, quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded.
In the given case, at the price floor is fixed, quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied.
This is not possible in case of effective price floor.
So, the given price floor is not an effective price floor.
Hence, the correct answer is the option (d) [None of the above choices make any sense in this case].