ECO550 Week 2 Check Your Understanding Submission If you are using the Blackboard Mobile Learn App, plea * Chapter 3: Problems 3, 4, and 7
Chapter 3 -Problem 3 Answer: The Olde Yogurt Factory has reduced the price of its popular Mmmm Sundae from $2.25 to $1.75. As a result, the firm’s daily sales of these sundaes have increased from 1,500/day to 1,800/day. Compute the arc price elasticity of demand over this price and consumption quantity range.
Arc Price Elasticity = (Q₂ - Q₁ / P₂ - P₁) * (P₂ + P₁ / Q₂ + Q₁)
Q₁ = 1500
Q₂ = 1800
P₁ = 2.25
P₂ = 1.75
Answer: [(1800 - 1500)/(1.75 – 2.25)] * [(1.75 +2.25)/ (1800 + 1500)]
(300/-.5) * (4/3300) = 1200/-1650 = -.7272
Chapter 3 -Problem 4 Answer: The subway fare in your town has just been increased from a current level of 50 cent to $1.00 per ride. As a result, the transit authority notes a decline in ridership of 30 percent. * Compute the price elasticity of demand for subway rides.
Answer: Price Elasticity of demand = %∆Q / %∆P = .30/ (.50/1.00) = .30/.50 = .60 * If the transit authority reduces the fare back to 50 cents, what impact would you expect on the ridership? Why?
Answer: Price Elasticity of demand = %∆Q / %∆P = .30/ (1.00/.50) = .30/.20 = .15
Because the elasticity of demand is less than 1, it is considered inelastic. Therefore, an decrease in price would be a decrease in revenue.
Chapter 3 -Problem 7 Answer: In an attempt to increase revenues and profits, a firm is considering a 4 percent increase in price and an 11 percent increase in advertising. If the price elasticity of demand is -1.5 and the advertising elasticity of demand is +.06, would you expect an increase or decrease in total revenues?
Answer: Because the price elasticity of demand is -1.5 the absolute values of the price elasticity of demand is elastic. Therefore, with a 4% increase in price, there would be a decrease in quantity sold. The reduction in quantity would then cause a reduction/decrease in total revenue. Although the firm is considering a 11% increase in advertising, the advertising elasticity is substantially less than the price elasticity of demand. If the advertising elasticity was higher, sales would be more responsive. Because sales responsiveness is quite low, it would not pose an increase in revenues. Therefore, looking at both elasticity of demand given, I would expect a decrease in total revenues based on their current considerations.
* Chapter 4: Problems 5, 6, and 7
* Chapter 4 -Problem 5 Answer:
Original equation transformed:
Log Q = -2.15log6280P + 1.05logA + 3.70logN * Determine the point price elasticity of demand for Tweetie Sweeties * -2.15 * Determine the advertising elasticity of demand * +1.05 * What interpretation would you give to the exponent of N? * N’s elasticity would be +3.70
* Chapter 4 -Problem 6 Answer: * Determine the price elasticity of demand * -2.74 * Determine the income elasticity of demand * +.461 * Determine the cross price elasticity of demand * 1.909 * How would you characterize the demand for haddock? * Because the price elasticity of demand’s absolute value is > than 1, It is probable that the quantity/demand would decrease. * Suppose disposable income is expected to increase by 5% next year. Assuming all other factors remain
