Econimcs Revision Flashcards
Name the three functions of the price mechanism
Rationing function
Signalling function
Incentive function
What is the price mechanism?
Where the price reflects the forces of supply and demand. Resources move to where they are shortest in supply, relative to demand and move away from places of low demand.
What is the rationing function?
If resources are scarce, demand exceeds supply and price rises. This rise discourages demand.
What is the signaling function?
Price changes sends contrast if messages to consumers and producers. Rising prices give the signal for consumers to lower demand and for producers to higher demand or enter the market.
What is the incentive function?
Incentive motivate the producer or consumer to buy or make more. Higher prices cause producers to make more to get a higher profit, while lower prices cause consumers to buy more.
What is TU?
Total utility
What is MU?
Marginal utility
What does the demand curve show?
The amount of people willing to buy at a certain price
Factors for a shift in demand curve
Change in price of substitute or complimentary good
Income
Advertising
Population
Factors for a shift on supply curve
Government: tax or subsidy Fashion Bad weather Raw materials Technology
Define price electricity of demand
The responsive of demand to a change in price
What is the formula for price electricity of demand?
% change in quantity demanded / % change in price
How do you work out % change?
Find difference between new and original number / by original number and x 100
What if the price elasticity calculation gives you a number greater than 1?
The good is elastic
What if the price elasticity calculation gives you a number less than 1?
The price is in elastic