In: Economics
suppose the market demand function for ice cream is Q^d = 10 - 2P and the market supply function for ice cream is Q^5 = 4P - 2, both measured in millions of gallons of ice cream per year. Suppose the government imposes a $0.50 tax on each gallon of ice cream produced. The price received by sellers with the tax is?
a. 2.33
b. 1.50
c. 1.73
d. 1.83
New supply after tax:
(Qs + 2)/4 + 0.5 = P
Qs' = 4P - 4
Qd = 10 - 2P
At equilibrium: Qs' = Qd
4P - 4 = 10 - 2P
P = 2.33 (price paid by buyers)
Price received by sellers = 2.33 - 0.5 = 1.83 (option d)