Changes

1. An example of a good with high price elasticity is carbonated beverages. This is demonstrated by the way in which many grocery stores alternate which major brand of soda (Coca Cola) is on sale week to week so that one brand is always markedly less expensive than the other. The amount of soda on sale that is sold is significantly higher than the product with the higher price, as measured by the observable levels of inventory remaining. Soda is completely a luxury, and quantity sold is highly responsive to price levels.

1. An example of a good with high price elasticity is carbonated beverages. This is demonstrated by the way in which many grocery stores alternate which major brand of soda (Coca Cola) is on sale week to week so that one brand is always markedly less expensive than the other. The amount of soda on sale that is sold is significantly higher than the product with the higher price, as measured by the observable levels of inventory remaining. Soda is completely a luxury, and quantity sold is highly responsive to price levels.

2. Income elasticity refers to how demand for a good is affected by changes in income level. Goods with a positive income elasticity (such as lobster and crab) are in greater demand as income increases. Goods with a negative income elasticity (such as TV dinners or Ramen noodles) are in less demand as income increases as consumers switch away from these goods to items they prefer and can now afford.

2. Income elasticity refers to how demand for a good is affected by changes in income level. Goods with a positive income elasticity (such as lobster and crab) are in greater demand as income increases. Goods with a negative income elasticity (such as TV dinners or Ramen noodles) are in less demand as income increases as consumers switch away from these goods to items they prefer and can now afford.

3. A nearly perfectly elastic demand curve is nearly a horizontal line in shape (quantity demanded changes quickly with small price changes)  

3. A nearly perfectly elastic demand curve is nearly a horizontal line in shape (quantity demanded changes quickly with small price changes)  

A nearly perfectly inelastic demand curve is nearly a vertical line in shape (quantity demanded changes little as price changes)

A nearly perfectly inelastic demand curve is nearly a vertical line in shape (quantity demanded changes little as price changes)

4. Necessities have smaller price elasticities because people are forced to use them regardless of price. This indicates their use of the good is a NEED rather than a choice. Hence the term necessity. For example, gasoline is somewhat price inealstic because many people who don't have access to alternative transit options will be forced to drive no matter what the price is set at. That makes gasoline a necessity.

4. Necessities have smaller price elasticities because people are forced to use them regardless of price. This indicates their use of the good is a NEED rather than a choice. Hence the term necessity. For example, gasoline is somewhat price inealstic because many people who don't have access to alternative transit options will be forced to drive no matter what the price is set at. That makes gasoline a necessity.

Luxuries can easily be substituted away from and the use of those goods is discretionary. This is also why they are price elastic. Observing the price elasticity of goods allows one to easily determine which goods are necessities and which are luxuries by seeing how easy it is for consumers to alter their consumption patterns.

Luxuries can easily be substituted away from and the use of those goods is discretionary. This is also why they are price elastic. Observing the price elasticity of goods allows one to easily determine which goods are necessities and which are luxuries by seeing how easy it is for consumers to alter their consumption patterns.

5. A substitute for french fries would be another side item such as onion rings. A complement for french fries would be catsup.

5. A substitute for french fries would be another side item such as onion rings. A complement for french fries would be catsup.

6. A normal good would be flat screen televisions. An inferior good would be standard rabbit ear receivers as those with more income will switch away to cable and satellite options.

6. A normal good would be flat screen televisions. An inferior good would be standard rabbit ear receivers as those with more income will switch away to cable and satellite options.

7. A price ceiling below the free market price causes a shortage. This is because there is a gap between the amount of a good that suppliers will be willing to produce at that price and the amount of a good that consumers will demand. Because the price is lower demand will outstrip supply and a shortage will occur. This gap can be seen on the graph in the lesson by the space between the demand curve and the supply curve bridged by the price ceiling level.

7. A price ceiling below the free market price causes a shortage. This is because there is a gap between the amount of a good that suppliers will be willing to produce at that price and the amount of a good that consumers will demand. Because the price is lower demand will outstrip supply and a shortage will occur. This gap can be seen on the graph in the lesson by the space between the demand curve and the supply curve bridged by the price ceiling level.

11. I believe minimum wages are a good thing for a number of reasons. First, and most obviously, they put more money in the hands of people who are poor and thus spend a high percentage of their resources. This stimulates overall consumption in the economy and leads to greater total economic activity than giving this money to others that may save.

11. I believe minimum wages are a good thing for a number of reasons. First, and most obviously, they put more money in the hands of people who are poor and thus spend a high percentage of their resources. This stimulates overall consumption in the economy and leads to greater total economic activity than giving this money to others that may save.

Given those benefits, I am willing to accept the apparent cost of higher unemployment rates. Obviously, this is a value judgment that could go the other way.

Given those benefits, I am willing to accept the apparent cost of higher unemployment rates. Obviously, this is a value judgment that could go the other way.