Elasticity of Demand and Supply
Elasticity of Demand and Supply
Elasticity of Demand and Supply
Demand and
Supply
Define Elasticity
OBJECTIVE
S Explain and cite examples of the
different types of elasticity.
Elasticity
It is a measure used in response to changes in the determinants of demand and
supply
%∆P = P2 –P1
X 100
(P2 + P1)/2
TYPES OF ELASTICITY
Elastic Inelastic Unitary
Demand may be elastic when a When a percentage when a When a percentage change in
percentage price leads to a percentage change in price price leads to proportionately
proportionately greater results in a proportionately lesser equal percentage change in
percentage change in quantity change in price evokes less than quantity demanded. The
demanded. The elasticity one percentage in quantity coefficient of elasticity is =1
coefficient is >1. demanded. The coefficient <1
Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2
P P
P1
UNITARY D
D
P2
Q1 Q2
PERFECTLY ELASTIC
PERFECTLY INELASTIC
Elsie likes to go to the Ocean Park. At a previous price of P 300. she used to go four (4) times each
month. Now that the price has become P500, she only goes twice a month. What is the price elasticity of
this good?
%∆QD = Q2 –Q1
X 100
(Q2 + Q1)/2
%∆QD = 2 –4 X 100
Where: (2 + 4)/2
= -66.67%
Q1= 4
Q2=3 %∆P = P2 –P1 X 100
P1=300 (P2 + P1)/2
P2=500
%∆P = 500 –300 X 100 =50%
(500 + 300)/2
ep=|%∆QD |
ep=|%∆QD | X 100
%∆P %∆P
ep=|-66.67 | =1.33
50
Influences on the price elasticity of demand
Where:
QA= Quanrtity demanded of Good A
PB= Price of Good B
Example: PB2-PB1
% ∆ in Price of Good B=
QA1= 500 PB1= P10.00 PB1
QA2= 600 PB2= P15.00 = 15-10
10
Ec =%∆Qd of Good A
% ∆ in Price of Good B = 5
10
= 500-600
200
Ec =%∆Qd of Good A = 0.2
= 100 0.5
% ∆ in Price of Good B
500
Ec= 0.4
= 0.2
If the coefficient of cross elasticity is positive,
Goods A and B are substitutes.
Example:
Income Quantity Demanded
P1000 200
P2000 800
Example:
Income Quantity Demanded
I1=P1000 Q1=200
I2=P2000 Q2=800
Ei =%∆QD
% ∆ Income %∆I = I2 –I1
I1 Ei =%∆QD = 3
%∆QD = Q2 –Q1 % ∆ Income 1
= 2000–1000
Q1 1000
Ei= 3
= 800–200 = 1000
200 1000
= 600 =1
200
=3
Price Elasticity of Supply– is also the response of quantity offered for sale for
every change in price,
es=%∆QS
%∆P = P2 –P1 X 100
%∆P (P2 + P1)/2
Influences on the price elasticity of supply
Production possibilities – If the firm has Storage possibilities - The elasticity of supply
plenty of spare capacity or available of a good that cannot be stored (for example,
resources to produce goods, the a perishable item such as fresh strawberries)
business can increase output in depends only on production possibilities. But
response to a change in demand. These the elasticity of supply of a good that can be
goods will have an elastic supply. If the stored depends on the decision to keep the
firm has scarce resources, or does not good in storage or offer it for sale. A small
have much spare capacity, goods will price change can make a big difference to this
have an inelastic supply. Additionally, as decision, so the supply of a storable good is
time passes after a price change, it highly elastic. The cost of storage is the main
becomes easier to change production influence on the elasticity of supply of a
plans and supply becomes more elastic storable good.
Influences on the price elasticity of supply
es=%∆QS
es=%∆QS =-22.22% =-1.22
%∆P 18.18
%∆P