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1. Suppose the demand curve for a product is given as Q = 10 – 2P + Po where P i

ID: 1199538 • Letter: 1

Question

1. Suppose the demand curve for a product is given as Q = 10 – 2P + Po where P is the price of the product, Po is the price of another good, and Q is the quantity demanded. Assume the price of the other good is $2.00. a. Suppose P = $1.00. What is the price elasticity of demand? What is the cross-price elasticity of demand? Is the other good a substitute or a complement of the product demanded? b. Suppose the price of the good (P) increases to $2.50. What are the values for the price elasticity of demand and the cross-price elasticity of demand now?

Explanation / Answer

(a) Demand function is as follows -

Q = 10-2P+Po

Price of other good (Po) = $2.00

Price of product (P) = $1.00

Calculate quantity demanded (Q) -

Q = 10 - 2P + Po = 10 - 2*1 + 2 = 10

The quantity demanded (Q) is 10 units.

Calculate the price elasticity of demand -

Price elasticity = (dQ/dP) * (P/Q)

                      = [d(10 - 2P + Po)/dP] * (1/10)

                      = -2 * (1/10)

                      = -0.20

The Price-elasticity of demand is -0.20.

Calculate the cross-price elasticity of demand -

Cross-price elasticity of demand = (dQ/dPo) * (Po/Q)

                                               = [d(10 - 2P + Po)/dPo] * (2/10)

                        = 1 * (2/10)

                                               = 0.20

The cross-price elasticity of demand is 0.20.

If the value of cross-price elasticity of demand is positive then two goods are substitutes.

If the value of cross-price elasticity of demand is negative then two goods are complements.

In given case, as calculated, the cross price elasticity of demand is positive.

Therefore, the other good is a substitute of the product demanded.

(b) Demand function is as follows -

Q = 10-2P+Po

Price of other good (Po) = $2.00

Price of product (P) = $2.50

Calculate quantity demanded (Q) -

Q = 10 - 2P + Po = 10 - 2*2.50 + 2 = 7

The quantity demanded (Q) is 7 units.

Calculate the price elasticity of demand -

Price elasticity = (dQ/dP) * (P/Q)

                      = [d(10 - 2P + Po)/dP] * (2.50/7)

                      = -2 * (2.50/7)

                      = -0.71

The Price-elasticity of demand is -0.71.

Calculate the cross-price elasticity of demand -

Cross-price elasticity of demand = (dQ/dPo) * (Po/Q)

                                               = [d(10 - 2P + Po)/dPo] * (2/7)

                        = 1 * (2/7)

                                               = 0.28

The cross-price elasticity of demand is 0.28.