In: Economics
Suppose the market demand and supply for labor hours in a segment of a labor market affected by a minimum wage in a certain state is given by the table below.
| 
 Labor Hours Demanded  | 
 Hourly Wage  | 
 Labor Hours Supplied  | 
| 
 72  | 
 $10  | 
 85  | 
| 
 73  | 
 $9  | 
 80  | 
| 
 75  | 
 $8  | 
 75  | 
| 
 77  | 
 $7  | 
 70  | 
| 
 79  | 
 $6  | 
 65  | 
| 
 81  | 
 $5  | 
 60  | 
Using the graph below, show the equilibrium wage and hours of labor in this market.
Suppose the state government sets a minimum wage of $9 per hour. Using the graph below, and beginning from the equilibrium you identified in a), demonstrate the effects of this minimum wage on; i) the quantity of labor supplied, and, ii) the quantity of labor demanded. Has the minimum wage raised or lowered the hours of labor employed? Explain.