In: Economics
For each of the following, identify where demand is elastic, inelastic, perfectly elastic, perfectly inelastic, or unit elastic:
(a) Price rises by 10 percent, and the quantity demanded falls by 2 percent |
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(b) Price falls by 5 percent, and the quantity demanded rises by 4 percent. |
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(c) Price falls by 6 percent, and the quantity demanded does not change. |
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(d) Price rises by 2 percent and the quantity demanded falls by 1 percent. |
Answer : The formula of price elasticity of demand is,
Price elasticity of demand = % changes in quantity demanded / % changes in price level
1) Price elasticity of demand = - 2 / 10 = - 0.2
If the price elasticity of demand is less than 1 then the demand is inelastic. Here the price elasticity of demand is - 0.2 which is less than 1. This indicates that here the demand is inelastic.
2) Price elasticity of demand = 4 / (- 5) = - 0.8
If the price elasticity of demand is less than 1 then the demand is inelastic. Here the price elasticity of demand is - 0.8 which is less than 1. This indicates that here the demand is inelastic.
3) Price elasticity of demand = 0 / (- 6) = 0
For perfectly inelastic demand the price elasticity of demand is 0. As here the price elasticity of demand is 0 hence here the demand is perfectly inelastic.
4) Price elasticity of demand = (- 1) / 2 = - 0.5
If the price elasticity of demand is less than 1 then the demand is inelastic. Here the price elasticity of demand is - 0.5 which is less than 1. This indicates that here the demand is inelastic.