Question

How does the existence of substitutes affect the price elasticity of demand?

Answer 1

The existence of substitutes affects the price elasticity of demand by making it more elastic. Consumers have the option to choose alternative products instead of paying higher prices, leading to a larger change in the quantity demanded. The availability of substitutes influences how responsive consumers are to changes in price.

Step-by-step explanation:

The existence of substitutes affects the price elasticity of demand. When there are close substitutes available for a product, the demand becomes more elastic. This means that consumers have the option to choose an alternative product instead of paying a higher price. As a result, a small price change can lead to a larger change in the quantity demanded.

For example, if the price of brand A soda increases, consumers may choose to buy brand B soda instead, as they are close substitutes. This shift in demand from brand A to brand B shows the price elasticity of demand for soda. Therefore, the availability of substitutes influences how responsive consumers are to changes in price.

Answer 2

The price elasticity of demand (PED) is a calculation of how much the measure demanded changes with a change in price. When there is accessibility of substitute goods, the more probable substitutes there are for a given good or service, the greater the elasticity. When some close substitutes are accessible or available, consumers can easily change from one good to another even if there is only a small change in price. On the other hand, if no substitutes are available, demand for a good is more likely to be inelastic.