Microeconomics Flashcards
Economics Definition
The study of how we allocate scarce resources to satisfy unlimited wants
Demand Curve
Shows the inverse relationship between the price and quantity of a product or service that a group of consumers are willing and able to buy at a particular time
Y Axis of Demand Curve
Price
X Axis of Demand Curve
Quantity Demanded
Demand vs Quantity Demanded
Demand - refers to the demand curve that can be plotted on a graph
Quantity Demanded - X Axis of the demand curve
Price and Quantity Demanded have a _____ Relationship
Inverse
Demand Curve Shifts
Change in the precise placement of the demand curve on the graph, occurs if there are changes in relevant factors other than price
2 Types of Demand Curve Shifts
(1) Upward/ Outward/ Right/ Increased
(2) Downward/Inward/Left/ Decreased
Upward Demand Curve Shift
Quantity demanded becomes higher for each and every price
Downward Demand Curve Shift
Quantity demanded becomes smaller for each and every price
Factors that Exhibit a Direct Relationship With Demand Curve
(1) Price of a substitute good
(2) Expectations of price changes
(3) Income (for normal goods)
(4) Extent of the market
Chance in price of a substitute good
When product A ay be an acceptable alternative to product B, an increase in the price of product A will make product B more attractive
Expectations of Price Changes
Consumers are more likely to buy now if they think prices will increase in the future
Change in Income for Normal Goods
For many goods when income increases, demand increases
Change in the Extent of the Market
New consumers may increase demand, therefore increasing the size of the market
Factors that Exhibit an Inverse Relationship with the Demand Curve
(1) Price of a complement good
(2) Income for inferior goods
(3) Consumer boycotts
Change in the Price of a Complement Good
When products are normally used together an increase in the price of one of the goods decreases demand for the other
Change in Income (for inferior goods)
For some goods when wealth increases, demand decreases as consumers shift their spending to other goods
Consumer Boycotts
An organized boycott will, if effective, temporarily decrease the demand for a product
Changes in Consumer Taste
May affect demand but have an indeterminate relationship
Elasticity Definition
Measures the sensitivity or something to changes in something else
Price Elasticity of Demand Formula
% Change in Quantity Demanded / % Change in Price
Price Elasticity of Demand Definition
Measures how responsive the quantity demanded is to a change in price
Arc Method Price Elasticity of Demand Formula
(Change in quantity demanded/ average quantity demanded)/ (change in price/ average price)
If Ed is > 1
Demand is elastic
Demand is Elastic if
Ed is > 1
If Ed is < 1
Demand is inelastic
Demand is inelastic if
Ed < 1
If Ed = 1
Demand is unit elastic
Unit Elastic
Total revenue isn’t sensitive to changes in price
If Price Elasticity of Demand is Elastic, Revenue will _______ if Price is Increased
Decline
If Price Elasticity of Demand is Inelastic, Revenue will _______ if Price is Increased
Increase
Demand is Unit Elastic If
Ed = 1
Income Elasticity of Demand Definition
Measures the effect of changes in consumer income on changes in the quantity demanded of a product
Income Elasticity of Demand Formula
% Change in Quantity Demanded / % Change in Income
Normal Good
As consumer income increases, quantity demanded increases
Inferior Good
As income increases, quantity demanded decreases
Positive Income Elasticity of Demand Indicates
Normal Good
Negative Income Elasticity of Demand Indicates
Inferior Good
Cross Elasticity of Demand Definition
Measures the change in quantity demanded of a good to a change in the price of another good and determines of they are complements or substitutes
Cross Elasticity of Demand Formula
% change in quantity demanded for product x / % change in price of product y
Positive Cross Elasticity of Demand
Substitutes
Negative Cross Elasticity of Demand
Complements
Zero Cross Elasticity of Demand
Products unrelated
Supply Curve
Shows direct relationship between the price of a product or service and the quantity that a group of producers and/or sellers are willing to supply at a particular time
Types of Supply Curve Shifts
(1) Supply curve shifted outward/ to the right/ supply increased
(2) Supply curve shifted inward/ to the left/ supply decreased
Supply Curve Shifted Outward
Quantity supplied becomes larger for each and every price