Question

In: Economics

In order to discourage the consumption of gasoline, the government is proposing to raise its price...

In order to discourage the consumption of gasoline, the government is proposing to raise its price through a gasoline tax. To what level must gasoline price be raised if the government wants to reduce consumption of gasoline by 15 million gallons?

Linear demand curve: 30 = 9.75 – (-0.25)*3
Slope = -0.25
Price Elasticity = -4

Solutions

Expert Solution

The current elasticity of demand is given as -4. This means that for each 1 increase (decrease) in gasoline price, the demand increases (falls) by 4.

The current demand is also given at 30 million right now. The government wants it to be 15 million. Thats a decrease of (5-30)/30=-50%. We know that

Price elasticity of demand= %change in demand/%change in price.

Using this formula and entering the values, we get

-4=-50/%change in price

%change in price=50/4=12.5.

This means that price must be increased by 12.5% for the demand to drop by 50%.


Related Solutions

Government tries to discourage tobacco usage. In order to do that, they would like to set...
Government tries to discourage tobacco usage. In order to do that, they would like to set a higher price for tobacco. Currently, tobacco is priced $10 in the markets. Market research uncovered that the current price elasticity of tobacco is 0.3. a. Given this information, what should be the new price set by the government so that tobacco consumption would fall by %25? b. Do you think this policy will be more effective in the long-run? Support your answer with...
Suppose the government decides to raise the gasoline tax as a way of reducing air pollution...
Suppose the government decides to raise the gasoline tax as a way of reducing air pollution and traffic congestion to their optimal levels. Which of the following describes why Pigovian taxes, such as gasoline tax, are unlike most other taxes?   Other taxes are typically used to cover general spending, but funds from corrective taxes can only be used to alleviate pollution   Corrective taxes bring the allocation of resources closer to the social optimum, and thus improve economic efficiency...
Should drug prevention efforts exaggerate the effects of the targeted drug in order to discourage its...
Should drug prevention efforts exaggerate the effects of the targeted drug in order to discourage its use? Could such misinformation undermine the trust young people have in official sources?
20- The imposition of a tax on a good enables the government to raise the price...
20- The imposition of a tax on a good enables the government to raise the price received by sellers of the goods that have been taxed. lower the price paid by buyers for the goods that have been taxed. create a more efficient economic system. take part of consumer and producer surplus as tax revenue when the good is purchased. 21- The demand for gasoline is inelastic and the supply of gasoline is elastic. Therefore, sellers bear most of the...
Assume a local government has determined they will increase taxes in order to raise revenue to...
Assume a local government has determined they will increase taxes in order to raise revenue to support their capital improvements plan. Contrast and compare the merits of increasing property taxes versus sales taxes. Consider the various forces which effect public budgeting in your response.
Consider a competitive industry that the government taxes in order to raise revenue (e.g., the sale...
Consider a competitive industry that the government taxes in order to raise revenue (e.g., the sale of alcoholic beverages). Show graphically that the amount of revenue generated by a per-unit tax on the industry can in principle be duplicated by reorganizing it as a state-run monopoly and using the profits as government revenue.
Imagine the price of gasoline suddenly and unexpectedly rises. In response, the government passes a law...
Imagine the price of gasoline suddenly and unexpectedly rises. In response, the government passes a law mandating a maximum legal price for gasoline. You may assume the legal maximum price is below the current market price. a. What do economists call these kinds of laws? b. Using supply and demand analysis, show how the law affects the market for gasoline. Label all important points. c. The goal of this law was to make it easier for consumers to get gasoline....
In order to raise revenues, the government has decided to levy taxes (T) on luxury goods...
In order to raise revenues, the government has decided to levy taxes (T) on luxury goods purchased by taxpayers with earnings higher than the average income. The demand and supply curves of yacht before taxes are follows: (20 points total) QS=0.5P QD=600-P A. Compute the existing equilibrium price (P*) and quantity (Q*). (2 points) B. i. State the new equation of demand curve. (2 points) ii. Compute new equilibrium quantity (Q’). (2 points) iii. Compute market price received suppliers (PS)....
Economists assert that an increase in gasoline tax can be used to move gasoline consumption towards...
Economists assert that an increase in gasoline tax can be used to move gasoline consumption towards both efficiency and sustainability. With the aid of a diagram explain how the use of a gasoline tax can bring about this result.
Let's look at the price of gasoline. What affects its price and how does that affect...
Let's look at the price of gasoline. What affects its price and how does that affect the sales of this product? If the price went up or down would that affect demand?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT