In: Economics
Suppose that at a price of $4.60, the quantity of output demanded is 17, and at a price of $5.40, the quantity of output demanded is 9. What is the elasticity of demand? (Ignore the negative sign.)
Original price: $ 4.60
Revised price: $ 5.40
Change in price: $5.40- $4.60 = $ 0.80
% change in price: Change in price/ Original price = 0.80 / 4.60 *100 = 17.39%
Original demand: 17
Revised demand: 9
Change in demand= 17-9 = 8
% change in demand: Change in demand/ Original demand = 8/ 17 *100 = 47.06%
Price elasticity of demand = % Change in demand / % change in price = 47.06% / 17.39% = 2.71
Note: Tthe method of computing the elasticity is not mentioned, the price elasticity as per mid point method is also computed as follows:
Original price: $ 4.60
Revised price: $ 5.40
Average price (4.60+5.54) /2 = $ 5
Change in price: $5.40- $4.60 = $ 0.80
% change in price: Change in price/ Average price = 0.80 / 5.00 *100 = 16%
Original demand: 17
Revised demand: 9
Average demand (17+9)/2 = 13
Change in demand= 17-9 = 8
% change in demand: Change in demand/ Average demand = 8/ 13 *100 = 61.54%
Price elasticity of demand = % Change in demand / % change in price = 61.54% / 16% = 3.85