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Elasticities of Demand and Supply

What determines price elasticity of demand

  • 3 things to know
  • All three components

Overview

Substitutes, necessity, the share of income a purchase absorbs, habit and addiction, and above all the time consumers have to react.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What makes demand for a good more price elastic?

Key term

How does the availability of substitutes affect price elasticity of demand?

Key term

How does the proportion of income spent on a good affect its price elasticity of demand?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How does the availability of substitutes affect price elasticity of demand?

    Model answer

    A good with many close substitutes has price elastic demand, because buyers switch easily when price rises. A good with few substitutes has price inelastic demand.

  2. 2

    How does the proportion of income spent on a good affect its price elasticity of demand?

    Model answer

    A good taking a large share of income has more price elastic demand, because a price rise is keenly felt. Cheap items such as salt have inelastic demand.

  3. 3

    How does time affect price elasticity of demand?

    Model answer

    Demand is more price elastic in the long run, because consumers have time to find alternatives. Demand is usually inelastic immediately after a price change.

  4. 4

    How does the distinction between a necessity and a luxury affect price elasticity of demand?

    Model answer

    A necessity has price inelastic demand, because consumers keep buying it whatever the price. A luxury has more price elastic demand and is easily given up.

  5. 5

    How does addiction or habit affect price elasticity of demand?

    Model answer

    An addictive good such as tobacco has price inelastic demand in the short run. Habit keeps quantity demanded high even after a substantial price rise.

  6. 6

    How does brand loyalty affect price elasticity of demand?

    Model answer

    Strong brand loyalty makes buyers less willing to switch, so demand becomes more price inelastic. Advertising is used partly to build that loyalty.

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