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Assume that the aggregate demand equation for a good has been estimated to be Q

ID: 1167771 • Letter: A

Question

Assume that the aggregate demand equation for a good has been estimated to be Q = 50 – 2P + PZ + 4Y. Q is the quantity demanded, P is the price of the good in dollars per unit, PZ is the price of another good in dollars per unit, and Y is average consumer income in thousands of dollars (that is, when Y equals 10, the average consumer has $10,000 in income).

a.    What is the price elasticity of demand when P equals 10, PZ is 20, and Y is 20?

b.    What is the cross price elasticity due to a change in the price of good Z when PZ equals 20, P equals 10, and Y is 20?

c.     What is the income elasticity of demand when P equals 10, PZ is 20, and Y is 20?

Explanation / Answer

Ans)

Q = 50 – 2P + PZ + 4Y

a)     P = 10, PZ = 20, and Y = 20

Q = 50 – 2*10 + 20 + 4*20

Q = 130

Price Elasticity of demand = (P*Q) / (Q* P)

dQ/dP = -2

                                    Ep = 10*(-2)/130 = - 0.1538

b) PZ = 20, P = 10, and Y = 20

Q = 50 – 2*10 + 20+ 4*20

Q = 130

Cross Price Elasticity of demand = (PZ *Q) / (Q* PZ )

c)      P = 10, PZ = 20, and Y = 20

Q = 50 – 2*10 + 20 + 4*20

Q = 130

Income Elasticity of demand = (Y*Q) / (Q* Y)

dQ/dY = 4

                                    Ey = 20*(4)/130 = 0.6154