Final answer:
A price ceiling set below the equilibrium price causes the quantity demanded to exceed the quantity supplied, creating a shortage. The exact extent of this shortage in terms of units cannot be specified without additional market data.
Step-by-step explanation:
When analyzing the effects of a price ceiling on market outcomes, it's essential to understand that a price ceiling is a legal maximum price set below the equilibrium price. This restriction causes the quantity demanded to increase, as the lower price encourages consumers to purchase more. However, at this lower price, producers are less willing to supply the market, leading to a decrease in quantity supplied. As a result, there is a gap between the quantity demanded and the quantity supplied - a condition known as a shortage.
The correct statement regarding the impact of a price ceiling is that it causes the quantity demanded to exceed the quantity supplied. This excess demand, or shortage, happens because the ceiling prevents the price from rising to the equilibrium level where the quantity demanded would equal the quantity supplied.
Therefore, the statement that a price ceiling causes the quantity demanded to exceed quantity supplied is true, but the exact number of units (either 45 or 85) cannot be determined without specific market data.