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The market for crayons has the following demand and supply curves: Qd = 25 - P Q

ID: 1197729 • Letter: T

Question

The market for crayons has the following demand and supply curves: Qd = 25 - P Qs = - 3 + 3P Find the equilibrium price and equilibrium quantity transacted in this market Consider a demand shock that keeps the price of this commodity at $3.50. Would this create a condition of excess demand or excess supply? How much would this "excess" be if in fact it does exist? Suppose the adoption of a new technology improves the efficiency of producing this commodity by 2 units, discuss the impact on the equilibrium values established in part (a) of this question (d) Assume that a shift in consumer preferences increased the consumption of this commodity by two units (prior to the induced technological innovation) how would this effect equilibrium price and equilibrium quantity transacted?

Explanation / Answer

Soln :

a) Demand function

Qd = 25 - P2

Qs = - 3 + 3P

At equilibrium

Qd = Qs

25 - P2 = - 3 + 3P

P2 + 3P -28 = 0

P2 + 7P - 4P -28 = 0

P(P+7) - 4( P+7) = 0

P = $ 4 [ equilibrium price]

Qd = 25 - 16

Q = 9 [ Equilibrium quantity ]

b) If the price of the commodity is kept at $ 3.50

Qd = 25 - P2

Qd = 25 - 3.50 2

Qd = 12.75 units

Qs = - 3 + 3P

Qs = 8.25 units

Setting a price of $ 3.50 creates a condition of excess demand and this excess demand will be of the order of = (12.75 - 8.25 ) units

Excess demand = 4.5 units

C) If new technology improves the efficiency of producing this commodity by 2 units , the Quantity demanded = 9 units and the Quantity supplied = 11 units

Qs = -3 + 3P

11 = -3 + 3P

P = $ 4.66

The equilibrium price established by part a = $ 4

The technological efficiency will push the prices up by an amount = $ 4.66 - 4 ( $ 0.66)

d) If a shift in consumer preference increased the consumption of this commodity by 2 units

Qd = 25 - P2

11 = 25 - P2

P = $ 3.74

The equilibrium price established by part a = $ 4 and the new price will be = $ 3.74

The price is reduced by an amount = $ 4 - $ 3.74 ( $ 0.258)