Question

Suppose that, in a competitive market without government regulations, the equilibrium price of hamburgers is $7 each. Indicate the followings whether each of the statements is an example of a price ceiling or a price floor and whether it is binding or nonbinding.

a. The government has instituted a legal minimum price of $5 each for hamburgers.
b. The government prohibits fast-food restaurants from selling hamburgers for more than $5 each.
c. Due to new regulations, fast-food restaurants that would like to pay better wages in order to hire more workers are prohibited from doing so.

Answer 1

Price floor non binding

Price ceiling binding

Price ceiling binding

Step-by-step explanation:

A price floor is when the government or an agency of the government sets the minimum price of a product. A price floor is binding if it is set above equilibrium price.

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.

A. The minimum price is less than the equilibrium price, thus it is a non binding price floor

b. The maximum price is less than the equilibrium price, thus it is a binding price floor

c. Restaurants that would want to pay better wages are unable to do so. This means that there is a binding price maximum in place