Elasticity Flashcards
Elasticity
- Specific statistic
- Way of measuring how a dependent variable responds to changes in another
- ANY pair of variables, used A LOT
The elasticity is the ratio of ____________
-The percentage changes in the two variables, with the independent variable in the denominator
An elasticity that is less than zero (negative) indicates ________________
-That the two variables move in opposite directions – when one increases, the other decreases
An elasticity that is greater than one in absolute value indicates _______________
-That a change in the independent variable causes a more than proportionate change in the dependent variable
Own-Price Elasticity of Demand
- Moves along a linear demand curve, and revenue changes, too
- Elasticity equals one at the midpoint of the demand curve. The midpoint is also the price-quantity combination at which revenue hits its maximum, and marginal revenue equals zero.
The Cross-Price Elasticity for Substitutes is ________
-Positive, because an increase in the price of one commodity leads to a increase in the quantity demanded of the other.
Reciprocal
-Flip the numerator and the denominator
The Cross-Price Elasticity for Complements is __________
-Negative, because an increase in the price of one commodity leads to a decrease in the quantity demanded of the other commodity