Question

Suppose a tax is imposed on bananas. In which of the following cases will the tax cause the equilibrium quantity of bananas to shrink by the largest amount?

a. The response of buyers to a change in the price of bananas is strong, and the response of sellers to a change in the price of bananas is weak.
b. The response of sellers to a change in the price of bananas is strong, and the response of buyers to a change in the price of bananas is weak.
c. The response of buyers and sellers to a change in the price of bananas is strong.
d. The response of buyers and sellers to a change in the price of bananas is weak.

Answer 1

c. The response of buyers and sellers to a change in the price of bananas is strong.

Step-by-step explanation:

At more elastic the demand (buyers) and supply ( sellers) curve are, greater the effect on the equilibrium quantity. As the taxes is negative for both parties:

increase sales price for the buyer (demand) the demand curve will shift down at higher elasticity

If the supply is inelastic the supplier will take the hit of the tax and but if it is elastic as well both will "fight" to move the effect to the other making the quantity decrease heavily