Question

Imagine a linear demand curve graphed with Quantity on the x-axis and Price on the y-axis. We know the middle of the curve is the unit elastic point. Why is this point signifcant?

a. That's the point where total revenue is maximized ?
b. That's the point where consumers will not respond at all to a change in price
c. That's the point where consumers are completely responsive to a change in price
d. More than one answer is correct

Answer 1

A. That's the point where total revenue is maximized

Step-by-step explanation:

Demand Curve is a downward sloping curve representing inverse relationship between price & quantity demanded.

Elasticity of Demand is the responsiveness of quantity demanded to price change. It can be measured geometrically on a demand curve point by :

Demand curve segment below the point / Demand curve segment above the point.

This way the elasticity keeps on decreasing as we move downwards on the demand curve [Ed=∞ to Ed >1 to Ed = 1 to Ed < 1 to Ed = 0] i.e [from perfectly elastic to elastic to unitary elastic to inelastic to perfectly inelastic demand].

If Demand is Elastic [Ed >1] : There is negative relationship between price and Total Revenue. This point is on the upper segment of demand curve as per geometric method, P- TR negative relationship implies that TR can be increased by decreasing Price.

If Demand is Inelastic [Ed <1] : There is positive relationship between price &total revenue. This point is on the lower segment of demand curve as per geometric method, P-TR positive relationship implies that TR can be increased by increasing price.

So: The best Total Revenue Maximising point is on the middle of demand curve where demand is unitary elastic [Ed=1] - as any other deviation from this point would create an incentive to change price to generate higher revenue.