Top Banner
C H A P T E R C H A P T E R C H A P T E R 4 Prepared by: Fernando Quijano Prepared by: Fernando Quijano and Yvonn Quijano and Yvonn Quijano © 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing © 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/e Principles of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray Fair Karl Case, Ray Fair The Price System, Demand and Supply, and Elasticity ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ C H A P T E R 4: The Price System, Demand and Supply, and Elas C H A P T E R 4: The Price System, Demand and Supply, and Elas ticity ticity © 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing © 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/e Principles of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray Fair Karl Case, Ray Fair 2 of 42 The Price System: Rationing and Allocating Resources The market system, performs two important and closely related functions: 1. Resource allocation: the market system determines the allocation of resources among produces and the final mix of outputs. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ C H A P T E R 4: The Price System, Demand and Supply, and Elas C H A P T E R 4: The Price System, Demand and Supply, and Elas ticity ticity © 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing © 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/e Principles of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray Fair Karl Case, Ray Fair 3 of 42 The Price System: Rationing and Allocating Resources The market system, performs two important and closely related functions: 2. Price rationing: the market system distributes goods and services on the basis of willingness and ability to pay. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________
14

Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

Feb 05, 2022

Download

Documents

dariahiddleston
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Page 1: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

RC

H A

P T

E R

C H

A P

T E

R

4

Prepared by: Fernando QuijanoPrepared by: Fernando Quijanoand Yvonn Quijanoand Yvonn Quijano

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair

The Price System, Demand and Supply, and Elasticity

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 2 of 42

The Price System:Rationing and Allocating Resources

• The market system, performs two important and closely related functions:

1. Resource allocation: the market system determines the allocation of resources among produces and the final mix of outputs.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 3 of 42

The Price System:Rationing and Allocating Resources

• The market system, performs two important and closely related functions:

2. Price rationing: the market system distributes goods and services on the basis of willingness and ability to pay.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 2: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 4 of 42

Price Rationing

• A decrease in supply creates a shortage at the original price.

• The lower supply is rationed to those who are willing and able to pay the higher price.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 5 of 42

Price Rationing

• There is some price that will clear any market.

• The price of a rare painting will eliminate excess demand until there is only one bidder willing to buy the single available painting.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 6 of 42

Constraints on the Market

• A price ceiling is a maximum price that sellers may charge for a good, usually set by government.

• In 1974, the government set a price ceiling to distribute the available supply of gasoline.

• At an imposed price of 57 cents per gallon, the result was excess demand.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 3: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 7 of 42

Alternative Rationing Mechanisms

• Queuing is a nonprice rationing system that uses waiting in line as a means of distributing goods and services.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 8 of 42

Alternative Rationing Mechanisms

• Favored customers are those who receive special treatment from dealers during situations when there is excess demand.

• Ration coupons are tickets or coupons that entitle individuals to purchase a certain amount of a given product per month.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 9 of 42

Alternative Rationing Mechanisms

• Attempts to restrict prices often result in the evolution of a black market.

• A black market is a market in which illegal trading takes place at market-determined prices.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 4: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 10 of 42

Alternative Rationing Mechanisms

• The problem with rationing systems is that excess demand is created but not eliminated.

• No matter how good the intentions of private organizations and governments, it is very difficult to prevent the price system from operating and to stop the willingness to pay from asserting itself.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 11 of 42

Prices and the Allocation of Resources

• Price changes resulting from shifts of demand cause profits to rise or fall.

• Profits attract capital; losses lead to disinvestment.

• Higher wages attract labor and encourage workers to acquire skills.

• At the core of the system, supply, demand, and prices in input and output markets determine the allocation of resources and the ultimate combinations of things produced.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 12 of 42

Price Floors

• A price floor is a minimum price below which exchange is not permitted.

• The most common example of a price floor is the minimum wage, which is a floor set under the price of labor.

• The result of setting a price floor will be excess supply, or higher quantity supplied than quantity demanded.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 5: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 13 of 42

Supply and Demand Analysis:An Oil Import Fee

• At a world price of $18, imports are 5.9 million barrels per day.

• The tax on imports causes an increase in domestic production, and quantity imported falls.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 14 of 42

Supply and Demandand Market Efficiency

• Supply and demand curves can be used to illustrate the idea of market efficiency, an important aspect of “normative economics.”

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 15 of 42

Consumer Surplus

• Consumer surplus is the difference between the maximum amount a person is willing to pay for a good and its current market price.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 6: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 16 of 42

Consumer Surplus

• Some consumers are willing to pay as much as $5 each for hamburgers.

• Since the price is only $2.50, they receive a consumer surplus of $2.50.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 17 of 42

Consumer Surplus

• Others are willing to pay something less than $5.00 but more than $2.50.

• Consumer surplus is the area below the demand curve and above the price level.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 18 of 42

Producer Surplus

• Producer surplus is the difference between the maximum amount a producer is willing to accept to supply a good and its current market price.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 7: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 19 of 42

Producer Surplus

• Some producers are willing to accept as little as 75 cents each for hamburgers.

• Since the price is $2.50, they receive a producer surplus of $1.75 per hamburger.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 20 of 42

Producer Surplus

• Others producers are willing to receive something less than $5.00 but higher than 75 cents.

• Producer surplus is the area above the supply curve and below the price level.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 21 of 42

Markets Maximize the Sum of Producer and Consumer Surplus

• Total producer and consumer surplus is highest where supply and demand curves intersect at equilibrium.

• Consumers receive benefits in excess of what they pay and producers receive compensation in excess of costs.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 8: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 22 of 42

Markets Maximize the Sum of Producer and Consumer Surplus

• If the market produces too little, say 4 million instead of 7 million hamburgers per month, total producer and consumer surplus is reduced. This reduction (triangle ABC) is called a deadweight loss.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 23 of 42

Potential Causes of Deadweight Loss From Under- and Overproduction

• Deadweight losses can occur from under- and overproduction.

• If the market produces 10 million instead of 7 million hamburgers per month, the cost of production rises above the willingness of consumers to pay, resulting in a deadweight loss.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 24 of 42

Elasticity

• Elasticity is a general concept that can be used to quantify the response in one variable when another variable changes.

elasticity of A with respect t o BA

B=

%

%

∆∆

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 9: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 25 of 42

Price Elasticity of Demand

•• A popular measure of elasticity isA popular measure of elasticity isprice elasticity of demand price elasticity of demand measures how responsive measures how responsive consumers are to changes in the consumers are to changes in the price of a product.price of a product.

price elasticity of demand % change in quantity demanded

change in price=

%

• The value of demand elasticity is

always negative, but it is stated in

absolute terms.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 26 of 42

Slope and Elasticity

• The value of the slope of the demand curve and the value of elasticity are not the same.

• Unlike the value of the slope, the value of elasticity is a useful measure of responsiveness.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 27 of 42

Slope and Elasticity

• Changing the units of measure yields a very different value of the slope, yet the behavior of buyers in both diagrams is identical.

231slope1055−==−− 231slope1608080−==−−

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 10: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 28 of 42

Types of Elasticity

Elastic

Unitarily elastic

Inelastic

Perfectly inelastic

-3.0-30%+10%Bananas

-1.0-10%+10%Beef

-0.1-1%+10%Basic telephone service

0.00%+10%Insulin

ELASTICITY(%∆∆∆∆QD dddd %∆∆∆∆P)

% CHANGE IN QUANTITY DEMANDED

(%∆∆∆∆QD)

% CHANGE IN PRICE

(%∆∆∆∆P)PRODUCT

Hypothetical Demand Elasticities for Four Products

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 29 of 42

Perfectly Elastic andPerfectly Inelastic Demand Curves

• When demand does not respond at all to a change in price, demand is perfectly inelastic.

• Demand is perfectly elasticwhen quantity demanded drops to zero at the slightest increase in price.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 30 of 42

Calculating Elasticities

• Calculating percentage changes:

% change in quantity demanded x 100%2=−Q QQ

1

1

% change in price x 100%2=−P PP

1

1

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 11: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 31 of 42

Calculating Elasticities

• Elasticity is a ratio of percentages.

price elasticity of demand =+−

= −100%

33 3%30

..

• Using the values on the

graph to compute

elasticity, using

percentage changes

yields the following

result:

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 32 of 42

Calculating Elasticities

• A more accurate way of computing elasticity than percentage changes is the midpoint formula:

%

%( ) /

( ) /

∆∆Q

P

Q Q

Q QP PP P

d =

−+

−+

2 1

1 2

2 1

1 2

2100%

2

x

x 100%

%

%( ) /

( ) /

. .∆∆Q

Pd =

−+

−+

= = −

10 55 10 2

100%

2 33 2 2

57 5 167

x

x 100%

x 100%

-12.5

x 100% =

66.7%

-40.0%

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 33 of 42

Calculating Elasticities

Here is how to interpret two different values of elasticity:

• When ε = 0.2, a 10% increase in price leads to a 2% decrease in quantity demanded.

• When ε = 2.0, a 10% increase in price leads to a 20% decrease in quantity demanded.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 12: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 34 of 42

Elasticity Changes along aStraight-Line Demand Curve

• Price elasticity of demand decreases as we move downward along a straight line demand curve.

• Demand is elastic in the upper range and inelastic in the lower range of the line.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 35 of 42

Elasticity Changes along a Straight-Line Demand Curve

• Along the elastic range, elasticity values are greater than one.

− 6.4

− .29 • Along the inelastic range, elasticity values are less than one.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 36 of 42

Elasticity and Total Revenue

• When demand is inelastic, price and total revenues are directly related. Price increases generate higher revenues.

• When demand is elastic, price and total revenues are indirectly related. Price increases generate lower revenues.

Total revenue does not change

Total revenue does not change

Same percentage change in quantity and price

Equal to 1.0Unitary elastic

Total revenue decreases

Total revenue increases

Smaller percentage change in quantity

Less than 1.0Inelastic

Total revenue increases

Total revenue decreases

Larger percentage change in quantity

Greater than 1.0

Elastic

Effect of a decrease in price on total revenue

Effect of an increase in price on total revenue

Change in quantity versus change in priceValue of Ed

Type of demand

TR P Q= ×

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 13: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 37 of 42

The Determinants ofDemand Elasticity

• Availability of substitutes -- demand is more elastic when there are more substitutes for the product.

• Importance of the item in the budget -- demand is more elastic when the item is a more significant portion of the consumer’s budget.

• Time dimension -- demand becomes more elastic over time.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 38 of 42

Other Important Elasticities

• Income elasticity of demand –measures the responsiveness of demand to changes in income.

income elasticity of demand % change in quantity demanded

change in income=

%

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 39 of 42

Other Important Elasticities

• Cross-price elasticity of demand: A measure of the response of the quantity of one good demanded to a change in the price of another good.

cross - price elasticity of demand % change in quantity of demanded

change in price of =

YX%

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Page 14: Ch04 - wps.prenhall.com

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 40 of 42

Other Important Elasticities

• Elasticity of supply: A measure of the response of quantity of a good supplied to a change in price of that good. Likely to be positive in output markets.

elasticity of supply % change in quantity supplied

change in price=

%

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 41 of 42

Other Important Elasticities

• Elasticity of labor supply: A measure of the response of labor supplied to a change in the price of labor.

elasticity of labor supply% change in quantity of labor supplied

change in the wage rate=

%

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

C H

A P

T E

R 4

: Th

e Pr

ice

Syst

em, D

eman

d an

d Su

pply

, and

Ela

sC

H A

P T

E R

4:

The

Pric

e Sy

stem

, Dem

and

and

Supp

ly, a

nd E

las

ticity

ticity

© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing© 2004 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Principles of Economics, 7/ePrinciples of Economics, 7/e Karl Case, Ray FairKarl Case, Ray Fair 42 of 42

Review Terms and Concepts

black marketblack market

consumer surplusconsumer surplus

crosscross--price elasticity of price elasticity of demanddemand

deadweight lossdeadweight loss

elastic demandelastic demand

elasticityelasticity

elasticity of labor supplyelasticity of labor supply

elasticity of supplyelasticity of supply

favored customersfavored customers

price floorprice floor

price rationingprice rationing

producer surplusproducer surplus

queuingqueuing

ration couponsration coupons

unitary elasticityunitary elasticity

income elasticity of income elasticity of demanddemand

inelastic demandinelastic demand

midpoint formulamidpoint formula

minimum wageminimum wage

perfectly elastic demandperfectly elastic demand

perfectly inelastic perfectly inelastic demanddemand

price ceilingprice ceiling

price elasticity of price elasticity of demanddemand

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________