In: Economics
A1. The demand in Japan for gasoline is inelastic and therefore not very sensitive to market prices. Given that, describe the effect of each of the following on the quantity demanded or the demand for gasoline in Japan. Indicate whether the effect of each is an upward or downward movement along a given demand curve or instead involves an outward or inward shift in the demand curve for gasoline. Explain your answers.
a. A sharp increase in the average price of gasoline in
Japan.
b. A sharp rise in the price of automobiles in Japan.
c. A fall in the price of public transportation in Japan.
d. A fall in the price of electic powered cars in Japan.
a) A sharp increase in the average price of gasoline in Japan: This will not affect the demand much as the demand for the Gasoline is inelastic in nature. But there will be slight movement along the demand curve of Gasoline in Japan and there will be no shift in the demand curve.
b) A sharp increase in the price of the automobiles in Japan will shift the demand curve for the gasoline to the left or inward. As Automobile and Gasoline are complementing an increase in the price of the automobile will decrease the demand for gasoline at the current price and the automobiles both.
c) Public transportation is a substitute for personal vehicles used in Japan if the price of public transport decreased people will use more and more public transport and the demand for petrol will fall at the current pice. This will shift the demand curve inward at a lower quantity and lower price.
d) Electric powered cars are again a substitute for the petrol run car. A fall in the price of electric cars will reduce the demand for the petrol car and subsequently, the demand for petrol. This will shift the demand curve for petrol inward at a lower price and lower quantity.