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Based on Roberts and Schlenker​ (forthcoming), the corn demand elasticity is ε =0.3​, and the supply elasticity is eη= 0.15. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, the United States has 347,760 corn farms. Assuming that the farms are of roughly equal size, what is the elasticity of demand facing a single farm?

User Jiyun
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2 Answers

4 votes

Final answer:

The elasticity of demand facing a single corn farm can be calculated by dividing the market elasticity of demand by the number of farms. In this case, the elasticity of demand facing a single farm is ε/347,760 = 0.3/347,760.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the elasticity of demand facing a single corn farm, we need to understand the concept of elasticity. Elasticity measures the responsiveness of quantity demanded to a change in price. The formula for elasticity is ε = (ΔQ/Q) / (ΔP/P), where ΔQ is the change in quantity demanded, Q is the initial quantity demanded, ΔP is the change in price, and P is the initial price.



In this case, the corn demand elasticity is given as ε = 0.3. This means that a 1% increase in price will result in a 0.3% decrease in quantity demanded. Since we know that the supply elasticity is eη = 0.15, we can assume that supply is relatively inelastic.



Given that the United States has 347,760 corn farms of roughly equal size, the elasticity of demand facing a single farm can be calculated as the elasticity of demand for the entire market divided by the number of farms. Therefore, the elasticity of demand facing a single farm is ε/347,760 = 0.3/347,760.

User Gisel
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3 votes

Answer: 52,164.15

Step-by-step explanation:

The price Elasticity of demand for corn refers to how much the quantity demanded of corn changes as a result of a change in price.

When given the elasticity for a group and need to calculate for a single unit, use the formula;

εi = nε - (n -1)eη

Demand elasticity for single unit = (Number of units * entire demand elasticity) - ( number of units - 1) * supply elasticity of each firm

= (347,760 * 0.3) - (347,760 - 1) * 0.15

= 104,328 - 52,163.85

= 52,164.15

Note: Do confirm that the figures you provided are the correct ones. If yes then no problems.

User Shaundra
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