Question

If price increases by 12 percent and quantity demanded decreases by 10 percent, demand is _________

a. Jake spends his money on only two things: t-shirts and donuts. Suppose the price of donuts falls. Naturally, Jake buys more donuts. He buys fewer t-shirts. This means that for Jake, the _________ dominates.
b. Becky spends her money on only two things: hiking boots and paintbrushes. For her, the income effect dominates. When the price of paintbrushes rises, Becky will naturally buy fewer paintbrushes. And she will buy ______ hiking boots.

Answer 1

Demand is Inelastic

Jack : Substitution Effect dominates

Becky : Buy fewer hiking boots

Step-by-step explanation:

Elasticity of Demand is responsive change in demand due to change in price. Demand is : Elastic - When proportionate change (% change) in demand > proportionate (% change) in price and Inelastic - When proportionate change (% change) in demand < proportionate change (% change) in price .

So, If price rise by 12% & demand decreases by 10% , Demand is Inelastic.

a. Substitution Effect is consumer's shift from dearer to cheaper goods & so, rise in demand of falling prices good , fall in demand of rising prices good . Jake buying lesser T shirts (relatively expensive) when price of Donuts fall (relatively cheaper) means Substitution Effect dominates for him.

b. Income Effect is price - demand inverse relationship, by change in real purchasing power due to price change. Price rise reduces real purchasing power, decreases demand & price fall increases real purchasing power, increases demand. Becky's paint brush price rise reduces her real purchasing power & she consumes less of both paintbrushes & hiking boots.