Question

A price ceiling set below the equilibrium price in a perfectly competitive market A. always reduces producer surplus and increases consumer surplus. B. always increases producer surplus and decreases consumer surplus. C. always reduces producer surplus and may or may not increase consumer surplus. D. always increases producer surplus and may or may not increase consumer surplus

Answer 1

A

Step-by-step explanation:

Price ceiling is when the government or an agency of the government sets the maximum price for a product. It is binding when it is set below equilibrium price.

Consumer surplus is the difference between the willingness to pay of a consumer and the price of the good.

Consumer surplus = willingness to pay – price of the good

Producer surplus is the difference between the price of a good and the least price the seller is willing to sell the product

Producer surplus = price – least price the seller is willing to accept

Because price is below equilibrium price, consumer surplus would increase and producer surplus would reduce