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3. Measurement of elasticity
• Arc method
• Point method
4. Other measures of elasticity
1. Definitions and determinants
‘the responsiveness of demand and
supply to changes in price’
Price elasticity of demand (P∈d):
• ‘The responsiveness of quantity demanded
to a change in price’
Market supply and demand
S1
Price
a
P1
D
O Q2 Q1
fig
Quantity
Determinants of P∈d
Why does the price elasticity vary?
• 1. number and closeness of substitute goods
The larger the number of substitute goods (that satisfy the
same need), the greater (P∈d) will be
E.g. holidays v. electricity
• 2. the proportion of income spent on the good
If this is high, a price rise will force a substantial reduction in
demand
• 3. Time
Time to adjust spending patterns
Short run – inelastic
Long run - elastic
2. Elasticity and consumer expenditure
Total expenditure (TE)
=PxQ
See figure
4 Total expenditure
P(£) 2
A) elastic demand
P(£)
a
4
D
0 20
Q (millions of units per period of time)
Elasticity & consumer expenditure
B) inelastic demand
P(£)
a
4
0 20
Q (millions of units per period of time)
P Totally inelastic demand (P∈D = 0)
D
P2 b
P1 a
O Q1 Q
P Infinitely elastic demand (P∈D = ∞)
a b
P1 D
O Q1 Q2
Q
P Unit elastic demand (P∈D = -1)
a
20
b
8
D
O 40 100 Q
3. Measurement of elasticity
Elasticity varies along the demand ( & supply)
curve
Price-elastic (>1)
price-inelastic(0-1)
unitary (=1)
(1) arc method (between two points on D)
price elasticity of demand: ∆ Q/Q ÷ ∆ P/P
using the average or 'mid-point' method
∀ ∆ Q/average Q ÷ ∆ P/average P
Measuring elasticity using the arc method
10
∆Q ∆P
Pεd = ÷ mid P
mid Q
m
8
n
6
P (£)
2 Demand
0
0 10 20 30 40 50
Q (000s)
Measurement of elasticity
r
30
P
0 40 100
Q
4. Other measures of elasticity
Income elasticity of demand
‘…the responsiveness of demand to a change in
consumer income, Y.’
• Luxuries (>1), necessities (0-1),inferior goods(<0)