elasticity of supply & demand Flashcards
What happens when 0<PES<1 and PES>1?
the bigger the PES, the more producers respond to the price.
when 0 < PES < 1, price is inelastic so producers not willing to enter the market
When PES > 1, price is elastic so producers are willing and easier to enter the market
Equation for PES
% change of quantity supplied / change of price
|PES| =1
Unnitary Price Elastic Supply : when change in price of the good results in a proportionate change in quantity supplied of the good in same direction, ceteris paribus
PES = 0
Perfectly Price Inelastic Supply : a given change in the price of the good itself produces no change in the quantity supplied, ceteris paribus. totally unresponsive when price changes (vertical line)
PES| -> infinity
Perfectly Price Elastic Supplied: a given change in price of good leads to an infinitely large change in quantity supplied, ceteris paribus. totally responsive when price changes (horizontal line)
[PES] Determinants: Mobility of factors of production
(ease = elastic)
geographical mobility - ease with moving between physical locations
occupational mobility - ease when moving between different industries (inelastic when job require specialized/ high skills)
[PES] Determinants: Existence of spare capacity
(greater = elastic)
means when not fully utilised, firms can increase production
[PES] Determinants: Availability of stock
(larger means able to respond better to price changes = elastic)
cuz when they don’t have the inputs, it is difficult to respond to an increase in quantity demanded by increasing the supply of good
[PES] Determinants:Time period
less = inelastic
cuz takes time to obtain more inputs. New firms also need time to enter the market.
more = elastic
cuz able to obtain more inputs and only when they are assured that the price increase is not a temporary phenomenon
eg. more time to flow more resources into an industry through expansion of existing firms / source for inputs
[PES] Determinants:Length and complexity of the production process
simple = elastic
cuz more able to adjust production levels according to the change in prices.
complicated = inelastic
cuz complex production process takes a long time so less able to adjust production levels according to the change in prices
What happens when 0<PED<1 and PED>1?
the bigger the PED, the more ppl respond to the price.
when 0 < PED < 1, ppl are insensitive to price change (price inelastic demand).
When PED > 1, price is elastic so ppl are sensitive to the price change.
Why PES +ve sign?
Law of supply states that quantity supplied is direct related to its price.
Why PED -ve sign?
Law of demand states that quantity demanded is inversely related to its price.
Equation for PED
% change of quantity demanded / change of price
|PED| =1
Unnitary Price Elastic Demand
when change in price of the good results in a proportionate change in quantity demanded of the good in opp direction, ceteris paribus