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The research department of the COLLEGE STUDENT BLUE-JEANS has estimated the inco

ID: 1098036 • Letter: T

Question

The research department of the COLLEGE STUDENT BLUE-JEANS has estimated the income elasticity of demand for blue-jeans of the Gap Corporation to be 2. Further, most economic forecasts predict a 3% increase in incomes for students during the upcoming year. If among the blue-jeans sold to college students last year, 820,000 were of the Gap brand, please estimate the number of additional blue-jeans that Gap expects to sale in the upcoming year. Further, if the Gap Corporation has estimated that, on the average, one sales person is needed for every 800 blue-jeans sold annually, please estimate the number of additional sales persons Gap needs to hire in the upcoming year.

Explanation / Answer

Answer: Income elasticity of demand = Percentage change in the demand/Percentage demand in income

                          2 = Percentage change in demand/ 3%

                       Percentage change in demand = 3*2

                                               = 6

Total increase in the demand for blue jeans is 6 %

or 6 % of 820,000

=49,200

Number of sales person reuired = 49,200/800

                                                  = 61.5