In: Economics
Sam advertises to sell cookies for $4 a dozen. She sells 50
dozen, and decides that she can charge more. She raises the price
to $6 a dozen and sells 40 dozen. What is the elasticity of demand?
Assuming that the elasticity of demand is constant, how many would
she sell if the price were $10 a box?
First we need to find elasticity of demand, for finding elasticity of demand divide percent change in quantity by percent change in price
That is,
percentagr change in price= (6.00-4.00)÷(4. O0)=50%(. 05)
Percentage Change in quantity=(40-50)÷(50)= -20%(-0. 20).
Then,
Elasticity =(-20%÷50%)[-0.4]=0.4
0.4 is elasticity of demand
(Next we needt o find the quantity of 10$ for a box.)
Here also we use same formula,
Elasticity=0.4[percntage change in quantity%c÷percentage change in price=(10.00-4.00)÷(4.00)=150%(1.5)
Important one was when befor taking absolute value elasticity was -0.4 then we must use -0.4 calculatevthe change in quantity.
-0.4=percentage change in quantity(150%)÷(percentage change in quantity)=-60%(-0.6)
-0.6=(x-50)÷50
X=20
Therefore,the new demand at $10 she will sell 20 dozen cookies.