Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

CHAPTER 2
THE BASICS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW
1. Suppose that unusually hot weather causes the demand curve for ice cream to shift to
the right. Why will the price of ice cream rise to a new market-clearing level?
Assume the supply curve is fixed. The unusually hot weather will cause a rightward
shift in the demand curve, creating short-run excess demand at the current price.
Consumers will begin to bid against each other for the ice cream, putting upward
pressure on the price. The price of ice cream will rise until the quantity demanded and
the quantity supplied are equal.

Price
S

P2

P1

D1
Q1 = Q2

D2

Quantity of Ice Cream

Figure 2.1

2. Use supply and demand curves to illustrate how each of the following events would affect
the price of butter and the quantity of butter bought and sold:
a.

An increase in the price of margarine.

Most people consider butter and margarine to be substitute goods. An increase in the
price of margarine will cause people to increase their consumption of butter, thereby
shifting the demand curve for butter out from D1 to D2 in Figure 2.2.a. This shift in
demand will cause the equilibrium price to rise from P1 to P2 and the equilibrium
quantity to increase from Q1 to Q2.

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

Price
S

P2

P1

D2

D1
Q1

Quantity of Butter

Q2

Figure 2.2.a
b.

An increase in the price of milk.

Milk is the main ingredient in butter. An increase in the price of milk will increase the
cost of producing butter. The supply curve for butter will shift from S1 to S2 in Figure
2.2.b, resulting in a higher equilibrium price, P2, covering the higher production costs,
and a lower equilibrium quantity, Q2.

Price
S2
S1
P2
P1

D
Q1

Q2

Quantity of Butter

Figure 2.2.b
Note: Given that butter is in fact made from the fat that is skimmed off of the milk,
butter and milk are joint products. If you are aware of this relationship, then your
answer will change. In this case, as the price of milk increases, so does the quantity
supplied. As the quantity supplied of milk increases, there is a larger supply of fat
available to make butter. This will shift the supply of butter curve to the right and
the price of butter will fall.

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

c.

A decrease in average income levels.

Assume that butter is a normal good. A decrease in the average income level will cause
the demand curve for butter to shift from D1 to D2. This will result in a decline in the
equilibrium price from P1 to P2, and a decline in the equilibrium quantity from Q1 to Q2.
See Figure 2.2.c.

Price
S

P1
P2

D2
Q2

D1

Quantity of Butter

Q1

Figure 2.2.c
3. If a 3-percent increase in the price of corn flakes causes a 6-percent decline in the
quantity demanded, what is the elasticity of demand?
The elasticity of demand is the percentage change in the quantity demanded divided by
6
2 .
the percentage change in the price. The elasticity of demand for corn flakes is
3
This is equivalent to saying that a 1% increase in price leads to a 2% decrease in
quantity demanded. This is in the elastic region of the demand curve, where the
elasticity of demand exceeds -1.0.
4. Explain the difference between a shift in the supply curve and a movement along
the supply curve.
A movement along the supply curve is caused by a change in the price or the quantity of
the good, since these are the variables on the axes. A shift of the supply curve is caused
by any other relevant variable that causes a change in the quantity supplied at any
given price. Some examples are changes in production costs and an increase in the
number of firms supplying the product.
5. Explain why for many goods, the long-run price elasticity of supply is larger than the
short-run elasticity.
The elasticity of supply is the percentage change in the quantity supplied divided by the
percentage change in price. An increase in price induces an increase in the quantity
supplied by firms. Some firms in some markets may respond quickly and cheaply to
price changes. However, other firms may be constrained by their production capacity in
the short run. The firms with short-run capacity constraints will have a short-run
supply elasticity that is less elastic. However, in the long run all firms can increase
their scale of production and thus have a larger long-run price elasticity.

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

6. Why do long-run elasticities of demand differ from short-run elasticities? Consider two
goods: paper towels and televisions. Which is a durable good? Would you expect the price
elasticity of demand for paper towels to be larger in the short-run or in the long-run? Why?
What about the price elasticity of demand for televisions?
Long-run and short-run elasticities differ based on how rapidly consumers respond to
price changes and how many substitutes are available. If the price of paper towels, a
non-durable good, were to increase, consumers might react only minimally in the short
run. In the long run, however, demand for paper towels would be more elastic as new
substitutes entered the market (such as sponges or kitchen towels). In contrast, the
quantity demanded of durable goods, such as televisions, might change dramatically in
the short run following a price change. For example, the initial result of a price
increase for televisions would cause consumers to delay purchases because durable
goods are built to last longer. Eventually consumers must replace their televisions as
they wear out or become obsolete, and therefore, we expect the demand for durables to
be more inelastic in the long run.
7. Are the following statements true or false? Explain your answer.
a.

The elasticity of demand is the same as the slope of the demand curve.
False. Elasticity of demand is the percentage change in quantity demanded for a
given percentage change in the price of the product. The slope of the demand curve is
the change in price for a given change in quantity demanded, measured in units of
output. Though similar in definition, the units for each measure are different.

b.

The cross price elasticity will always be positive.

False. The cross price elasticity measures the percentage change in the quantity
demanded of one product for a given percentage change in the price of another product.
This elasticity will be positive for substitutes (an increase in the price of hot dogs is
likely to cause an increase in the quantity demanded of hamburgers) and negative for
complements (an increase in the price of hot dogs is likely to cause a decrease in the
quantity demanded of hot dog buns).

c.

The supply of apartments is more inelastic in the short run than the long run.
True. In the short run it is difficult to change the supply of apartments in response to a
change in price. Increasing the supply requires constructing new apartment buildings,
which can take a year or more. Since apartments are a durable good, in the long run a
change in price will induce suppliers to create more apartments (if price increases) or
delay construction (if price decreases).

8. Suppose the government regulates the prices of beef and chicken and sets them below
their market-clearing levels. Explain why shortages of these goods will develop and what
factors will determine the sizes of the shortages. What will happen to the price of pork?
Explain briefly.
If the price of a commodity is set below its market-clearing level, the quantity that firms
are willing to supply is less than the quantity that consumers wish to purchase. The
extent of the excess demand implied by this response will depend on the relative
elasticities of demand and supply. For instance, if both supply and demand are elastic,
the shortage is larger than if both are inelastic. Factors such as the willingness of
consumers to eat less meat and the ability of farmers to change the size of their herds
and hence produce less will determine these elasticities and influence the size of excess
demand. Customers whose demands are not met will attempt to purchase substitutes,
thus increasing the demand for substitutes and raising their prices. If the prices of beef
and chicken are set below market-clearing levels, the price of pork will rise, assuming
that pork is a substitute for beef and chicken.

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

9. The city council of a small college town decides to regulate rents in order to reduce
student living expenses. Suppose the average annual market-clearing rent for a twobedroom apartment had been $700 per month, and rents are expected to increase to $900
within a year. The city council limits rents to their current $700 per month level.
a.
Draw a supply and demand graph to illustrate what will happen to the rental price
of an apartment after the imposition of rent controls.
The rental price will stay at the old equilibrium level of $700 per month. The
expected increase to $900 per month may have been caused by an increase in
demand. Given this is true, the price of $700 will be below the new equilibrium and
there will be a shortage of apartments.
b.

Do you think this policy will benefit all students? Why or why not.
It will benefit those students who get an apartment, though these students may also
find that the costs of searching for an apartment are higher given the shortage of
apartments. Those students who do not get an apartment may face higher costs as a
result of having to live outside of the college town. Their rent may be higher and the
transportation costs will be higher.

10. In a discussion of tuition rates, a university official argues that the demand for
admission is completely price inelastic. As evidence she notes that while the university has
doubled its tuition (in real terms) over the past 15 years, neither the number nor quality of
students applying has decreased. Would you accept this argument? Explain briefly. (Hint:
The official makes an assertion about the demand for admission, but does she actually
observe a demand curve? What else could be going on?)
If demand is fixed, the individual firm (a university) may determine the shape of the
demand curve it faces by raising the price and observing the change in quantity sold.
The university official is not observing the entire demand curve, but rather only the
equilibrium price and quantity over the last 15 years. If demand is shifting upward, as
supply shifts upward, demand could have any elasticity. (See Figure 2.7, for example.)
Demand could be shifting upward because the value of a college education has
increased and students are willing to pay a high price for each opening. More market
research would be required to support the conclusion that demand is completely price
inelastic.

Price
D1996

S1996

D1986

S1986

D1976

S1976

Quantity
Figure 2.10

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

11. Suppose the demand curve for a product is given by Q=10-2P+Ps, where P is the price of
the product and Ps is the price of a substitute good. The price of the substitute good is $2.00.
a.
Suppose P=$1.00. What is the price elasticity of demand? What is the cross-price
elasticity of demand?
First you need to find the quantity demanded at the price of $1.00. Q=10-2(1)+2=10.
Price elasticity of demand =

P Q 1
2
(2) 0.2.
Q P 10
10

Cross-price elasticity of demand =

b.

Ps Q 2
(1) 0.2.
Q Ps 10

Suppose the price of the good, P, goes to $2.00. Now what is the price elasticity of
demand? What is the cross-price elasticity of demand?
First you need to find the quantity demanded at the price of $2.00. Q=10-2(2)+2=8.
Price elasticity of demand =

P Q 2
4
(2) 0.5.
Q P 8
8

Cross-price elasticity of demand =

Ps Q 2
(1) 0.25.
Q Ps 8

12. Suppose that rather than the declining demand assumed in Example 2.8, a decrease in
the cost of copper production causes the supply curve to shift to the right by 40 percent.
How will the price of copper change?
If the supply curve shifts to the right by 40% then the new quantity supplied will be 140
percent of the old quantity supplied at every price. The new supply curve is therefore
Q = 1.4*(-4.5+16P) = -6.3+22.4P. To find the new equilibrium price of copper, set the
new supply equal to demand so that 6.3+22.4P=13.5-8P. Solving for price results in
P=65 cents per pound for the new equilibrium price. The price decreased by 10 cents
per pound, or 13.3%.
13. Suppose the demand for natural gas is perfectly inelastic. What would be the effect, if
any, of natural gas price controls?
If the demand for natural gas is perfectly inelastic, then the demand curve is vertical.
Consumers will demand a certain quantity and will pay any price for this quantity. In
this case, a price control will have no effect on the quantity demanded.

10

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

EXERCISES
1. Suppose the demand curve for a product is given by Q=300-2P+4I, where I is average
income measured in thousands of dollars. The supply curve is Q=3P-50.
a.

If I=25, find the market clearing price and quantity for the product.
Given I=25, the demand curve becomes Q=300-2P+4*25, or Q=400-2P. Setting demand
equal to supply we can solve for P and then Q:
400-2P=3P-50
P=90
Q=220.

b.

If I=50, find the market clearing price and quantity for the product.
Given I=50, the demand curve becomes Q=300-2P+4*50, or Q=500-2P. Setting demand
equal to supply we can solve for P and then Q:
500-2P=3P-50
P=110
Q=280.

c.

Draw a graph to illustrate your answers.

Equilibrium price and quantity are found at the intersection of the demand and supply
curves. When the income level increases in part b, the demand curve will shift up and
to the right. The intersection of the new demand curve and the supply curve is the new
equilibrium point.

2. Consider a competitive market for which the quantities demanded and supplied (per
year) at various prices are given as follows:

a.

Price

Demand

Supply

($)

(millions)

(millions)

60

22

14

80

20

16

100

18

18

120

16

20

Calculate the price elasticity of demand when the price is $80 and when the price is
$100.
We know that the price elasticity of demand may be calculated using equation 2.1 from
the text:
Q D
QD
P Q D
ED

.
P
Q D P
P
With each price increase of $20, the quantity demanded decreases by 2. Therefore,

QD 2

0.1.
P 20
At P = 80, quantity demanded equals 20 and

11

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

ED

80
0.1 0.40.
20

Similarly, at P = 100, quantity demanded equals 18 and

ED
b.

100
0.1 0.56.
18

Calculate the price elasticity of supply when the price is $80 and when the price is
$100.
The elasticity of supply is given by:

QS
QS
P QS
ES

.
P
QS P
P
With each price increase of $20, quantity supplied increases by 2. Therefore,

Q S 2

0.1.
P 20
At P = 80, quantity supplied equals 16 and

ES

80
0.1 0.5.
16

Similarly, at P = 100, quantity supplied equals 18 and

ES
c.

100
0.1 0.56.
18

What are the equilibrium price and quantity?

The equilibrium price and quantity are found where the quantity supplied equals the
quantity demanded at the same price. As we see from the table, the equilibrium price
is $100 and the equilibrium quantity is 18 million.

d.

Suppose the government sets a price ceiling of $80. Will there be a shortage, and if
so, how large will it be?
With a price ceiling of $80, consumers would like to buy 20 million, but producers will
supply only 16 million. This will result in a shortage of 4 million.

3. Refer to Example 2.5 on the market for wheat. At the end of 1998, both Brazil and
Indonesia opened their wheat markets to U.S. farmers. Suppose that these new markets
add 200 million bushels to U.S. wheat demand. What will be the free market price of wheat
and what quantity will be produced and sold by U.S. farmers in this case?
The following equations describe the market for wheat in 1998:
QS = 1944 + 207P
and
QD = 3244 - 283P.
If Brazil and Indonesia add an additional 200 million bushels of wheat to U.S. wheat
demand, the new demand curve would be equal to QD + 200, or
QD = (3244 - 283P) + 200 = 3444 - 283P.
Equating supply and the new demand, we may determine the new equilibrium price,
1944 + 207P = 3444 - 283P, or

12

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

490P = 1500, or P* = $3.06122 per bushel.
To find the equilibrium quantity, substitute the price into either the supply or demand
equation, e.g.,
QS = 1944 + (207)(3.06122) = 2,577.67
and
QD = 3444 - (283)(3.06122) = 2,577.67
4. A vegetable fiber is traded in a competitive world market, and the world price is $9 per
pound. Unlimited quantities are available for import into the United States at this price.
The U.S. domestic supply and demand for various price levels are shown below.
Price

U.S. Supply

U.S. Demand

(million lbs.)

(million lbs.)

34

28

22

12

16

15

10

10

18

12

a. What is the equation for demand? What is the equation for supply?
The equation for demand is of the form Q=a-bP. First find the slope, which is

Q 6

2 b.
P
3

You can figure this out by noticing that every time price

increases by 3, quantity demanded falls by 6 million pounds. Demand is now Q=a-2P.

To find a, plug in any of the price quantity demanded points from the table: Q=34=a2*3 so that a=40 and demand is Q=40-2P.
The equation for supply is of the form Q = c + dP. First find the slope, which is

Q 2
d. You can figure this out by noticing that every time price increases by 3,
P 3
2
quantity supplied increases by 2 million pounds. Supply is now Q c P. To find c
3
2
plug in any of the price quantity supplied points from the table: Q 2 c (3) so
3
2
that c=0 and supply is Q P.
3
b. At a price of $9, what is the price elasticity of demand? What is it at price of $12?
Elasticity of demand at P=9 is

P Q
9
18

(2)
0.82.
Q P 22
22

Elasticity of demand at P=12 is

P Q 12
24
(2)
1.5.
Q P 16
16

c. What is the price elasticity of supply at $9? At $12?

Elasticity of supply at P=9 is

P Q 9 2 18

1.0.
Q P 6 3 18
13

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

Elasticity of supply at P=12 is

P Q 12 2 24

1.0.
Q P 8 3 24

d. In a free market, what will be the U.S. price and level of fiber imports?
With no restrictions on trade, world price will be the price in the United States, so that
P=$9. At this price, the domestic supply is 6 million lbs., while the domestic demand is
22 million lbs. Imports make up the difference and are 16 million lbs.
5. Much of the demand for U.S. agricultural output has come from other countries. In 1998,
the total demand for wheat was Q = 3244 - 283P. Of this, domestic demand was QD = 1700 107P. Domestic supply was QS = 1944 + 207P. Suppose the export demand for wheat falls by
40 percent.
a.

U.S. farmers are concerned about this drop in export demand. What happens to the
free market price of wheat in the United States? Do the farmers have much reason
to worry?
Given total demand, Q = 3244 - 283P, and domestic demand, Qd = 1700 - 107P, we may
subtract and determine export demand, Qe = 1544 - 176P.
The initial market equilibrium price is found by setting total demand equal to supply:
3244 - 283P = 1944 + 207P, or
P = $2.65.
The best way to handle the 40 percent drop in export demand is to assume that the
export demand curve pivots down and to the left around the vertical intercept so that at
all prices demand decreases by 40 percent, and the reservation price (the maximum
price that the foreign country is willing to pay) does not change. If you instead shifted
the demand curve down to the left in a parallel fashion the effect on price and quantity
will be qualitatively the same, but will differ quantitatively.
The new export demand is 0.6Qe=0.6(1544-176P)=926.4-105.6P. Graphically, export
demand has pivoted inwards as illustrated in figure 2.5a below.
Total demand becomes
QD = Qd + 0.6Qe = 1700 - 107P + 926.4-105.6P = 2626.4 - 212.6P.

P
8.77

926.4

1544
Figure 2.5a

14

Qe

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

Equating total supply and total demand,
1944 + 207P = 2626.4 - 212.6P, or
P = $1.63,
which is a significant drop from the market-clearing price of $2.65 per bushel. At this
price, the market-clearing quantity is 2280.65 million bushels. Total revenue has
decreased from $6614.6 million to $3709.0 million. Most farmers would worry.
b.

Now suppose the U.S. government wants to buy enough wheat each year to raise the
price to $3.50 per bushel. With this drop in export demand, how much wheat would
the government have to buy? How much would this cost the government?
With a price of $3.50, the market is not in equilibrium.
supplied are

Quantity demanded and

QD = 2626.4-212.6(3.5)=1882.3, and
QS = 1944 + 207(3.5) = 2668.5.
Excess supply is therefore 2668.5-1882.3=786.2 million bushels. The government must
purchase this amount to support a price of $3.5, and will spend
$3.5(786.2 million) = $2751.7 million per year.
6. The rent control agency of New York City has found that aggregate demand is
QD = 160 - 8P. Quantity is measured in tens of thousands of apartments. Price, the average
monthly rental rate, is measured in hundreds of dollars. The agency also noted that the
increase in Q at lower P results from more three-person families coming into the city from
Long Island and demanding apartments. The citys board of realtors acknowledges that this
is a good demand estimate and has shown that supply is QS = 70 + 7P.
a.

If both the agency and the board are right about demand and supply, what is the free
market price? What is the change in city population if the agency sets a maximum
average monthly rental of $300, and all those who cannot find an apartment leave
the city?
To find the free market price for apartments, set supply equal to demand:
160 - 8P = 70 + 7P, or P = $600,
since price is measured in hundreds of dollars. Substituting the equilibrium price into
either the demand or supply equation to determine the equilibrium quantity:
QD = 160 - (8)(6) = 112
and
QS = 70 + (7)(6) = 112.
We find that at the rental rate of $600, the quantity of apartments rented is 1,120,000.
If the rent control agency sets the rental rate at $300, the quantity supplied would then
be 910,000 (QS = 70 + (7)(3) = 91), a decrease of 210,000 apartments from the free
market equilibrium. (Assuming three people per family per apartment, this would
imply a loss of 630,000 people.) At the $300 rental rate, the demand for apartments is
1,360,000 units, and the resulting shortage is 450,000 units (1,360,000-910,000).
However, excess demand (supply shortages) and lower quantity demanded are not the
same concepts. The supply shortage means that the market cannot accommodate the
new people who would have been willing to move into the city at the new lower price.
Therefore, the city population will only fall by 630,000, which is represented by the drop
in the number of actual apartments from 1,120,000 (the old equilibrium value) to
910,000, or 210,000 apartments with 3 people each.

15

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

b.

Suppose the agency bows to the wishes of the board and sets a rental of $900 per
month on all apartments to allow landlords a fair rate of return. If 50 percent of
any long-run increases in apartment offerings come from new construction, how
many apartments are constructed?
At a rental rate of $900, the supply of apartments would be 70 + 7(9) = 133, or 1,330,000
units, which is an increase of 210,000 units over the free market equilibrium.
Therefore, (0.5)(210,000) = 105,000 units would be constructed. Note, however, that
since demand is only 880,000 units, 450,000 units would go unrented.

7. In 1998, Americans smoked 470 billion cigarettes, or 23.5 billion packs of cigarettes. The
average retail price was $2 per pack. Statistical studies have shown that the price elasticity
of demand is -0.4, and the price elasticity of supply is 0.5. Using this information, derive
linear demand and supply curves for the cigarette market.
Let the demand curve be of the general form Q=a-bP and the supply curve be of the
general form Q=c + dP, where a, b, c, and d are the constants that you have to find from
the information given above. To begin, recall the formula for the price elasticity of
demand
D

EP

P Q
.
Q P

You are given information about the value of the elasticity, P, and Q, which means that
you can solve for the slope, which is b in the above formula for the demand curve.

2 Q
23.5 P
Q
23.5
0.4
4.7 b.
2
P

0.4

To find the constant a, substitute for Q, P, and b into the above formula so that 23.5=a4.7*2 and a=32.9. The equation for demand is therefore Q=32.9-4.7P. To find the
supply curve, recall the formula for the elasticity of supply and follow the same method
as above:

P Q
Q P
2 Q
0.5
23.5 P
Q
23.5
0.5
5.875 d.
2
P
S

EP

To find the constant c, substitute for Q, P, and d into the above formula so that
23.5=c+5.875*2 and c=11.75. The equation for supply is therefore Q=11.75+5.875P.
8. In Example 2.8 we examined the effect of a 20 percent decline in copper demand on the
price of copper, using the linear supply and demand curves developed in Section 2.4.
Suppose the long-run price elasticity of copper demand were -0.4 instead of -0.8.
a.

Assuming, as before, that the equilibrium price and quantity are P* = 75 cents per
pound and Q* = 7.5 million metric tons per year, derive the linear demand curve
consistent with the smaller elasticity.
Following the method outlined in Section 2.6, we solve for a and b in the demand
equation QD = a - bP.
First, we know that for a linear demand function

16

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

P *
ED b . Here ED = -0.4 (the long-run price elasticity), P* = 0.75 (the
Q *
equilibrium price), and Q* = 7.5 (the equilibrium quantity). Solving for b,

0.75
0.4 b
7.5 , or b = 4.
To find the intercept, we substitute for b, QD (= Q*), and P (= P*) in the demand
equation:
7.5 = a - (4)(0.75), or a = 10.5.
The linear demand equation consistent with a long-run price elasticity of -0.4 is
therefore
QD = 10.5 - 4P.
b.

Using this demand curve, recalculate the effect of a 20 percent decline in copper
demand on the price of copper.
The new demand is 20 percent below the original (using our convention that quantity
demanded is reduced by 20% at every price):

QD 0.810.5 4P 8.4 3.2P .

Equating this to supply,
8.4 - 3.2P = -4.5 + 16P, or
P = 0.672.
With the 20 percent decline in the demand, the price of copper falls to 67.2 cents per
pound.
9. Example 2.9 analyzes the world oil market. Using the data given in that example:
a.

Show that the short-run demand and competitive supply curves are indeed given by
D = 24.08 - 0.06P
SC = 11.74 + 0.07P.
First, considering non-OPEC supply:
Sc = Q* = 13.
With ES = 0.10 and P* = $18, ES = d(P*/Q*) implies d = 0.07.
Substituting for d, Sc, and P in the supply equation, c = 11.74 and Sc = 11.74 + 0.07P.
Similarly, since QD = 23, ED = -b(P*/Q*) = -0.05, and b = 0.06. Substituting for b, QD = 23, and P
= 18 in the demand equation gives 23 = a - 0.06(18), so that a = 24.08.
Hence QD = 24.08 - 0.06P.

b.

Show that the long-run demand and competitive supply curves are indeed given by
D = 32.18 - 0.51P
SC = 7.78 + 0.29P.
As above, ES = 0.4 and ED = -0.4: ES = d(P*/Q*) and ED = -b(P*/Q*), implying 0.4 = d(18/13)
and -0.4 = -b(18/23). So d = 0.29 and b = 0.51.
Next solve for c and a:
Sc = c + dP and QD = a - bP, implying 13 = c + (0.29)(18) and 23 = a - (0.51)(18).

17

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

So c = 7.78 and a = 32.18.
c.

In 2002, Saudi Arabia accounted for 3 billion barrels per year of OPECs production.
Suppose that war or revolution caused Saudi Arabia to stop producing oil. Use the
model above to calculate what would happen to the price of oil in the short run and
the long run if OPECs production were to drop by 3 billion barrels per year.
With OPECs supply reduced from 10 bb/yr to 7 bb/yr, add this lower supply of 7 bb/yr to the
short-run and long-run supply equations:
Sc = 7 + Sc = 11.74 + 7 + 0.07P = 18.74 + 0.07P and S = 7 + Sc = 14.78 + 0.29P.
These are equated with short-run and long-run demand, so that:
18.74 + 0.07P = 24.08 - 0.06P,
implying that P = $41.08 in the short run; and
14.78 + 0.29P = 32.18 - 0.51P,
implying that P = $21.75 in the long run.

10.

Refer to Example 2.10, which analyzes the effects of price controls on natural gas.

a.

Using the data in the example, show that the following supply and demand curves
did indeed describe the market in 1975:
Supply: Q = 14 + 2PG + 0.25PO
Demand: Q = -5PG + 3.75PO
where PG and PO are the prices of natural gas and oil, respectively. Also, verify that
if the price of oil is $8.00, these curves imply a free market price of $2.00 for natural
gas.
To solve this problem, we apply the analysis of Section 2.6 to the definition of crossprice elasticity of demand given in Section 2.4. For example, the cross-price-elasticity of
demand for natural gas with respect to the price of oil is:

Q P
EGO G O .
PO QG
QG

is the change in the quantity of natural gas demanded, because of a small

PO
QG
change in the price of oil. For linear demand equations,
is constant. If we
PO
represent demand as:
QG = a - bPG + ePO

QG
(notice that income is held constant), then
= e. Substituting this into the cross PO
PO*
price elasticity, EPO e * , where PO* and QG* are the equilibrium price and quantity.

QG

We know that PO* = $8 and QG* = 20 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). Solving for e,

1.5 e

8
20, or e = 3.75.
18

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

Similarly, if the general form of the supply equation is represented as:
QG = c + dPG + gPO,

PO*
the cross-price elasticity of supply is g * , which we know to be 0.1. Solving for g,
QG
8
0.1 g
2 0, or g = 0.25.
The values for d and b may be found with equations 2.5a and 2.5b in Section 2.6. We
know that ES = 0.2, P* = 2, and Q* = 20. Therefore,

0.2 d

2
20 , or d = 2.

Also, ED = -0.5, so

0.5 b

2
2 0 , or b = -5.

By substituting these values for d, g, b, and e into our linear supply and demand
equations, we may solve for c and a:
20 = c + (2)(2) + (0.25)(8), or c = 14,
and
20 = a - (5)(2) + (3.75)(8), or a = 0.
If the price of oil is $8.00, these curves imply a free market price of $2.00 for natural
gas.
Substitute the price of oil in the supply and demand curves to verify these
equations. Then set the curves equal to each other and solve for the price of gas.
14 + 2PG + (0.25)(8) = -5PG + (3.75)(8)
7PG = 14
PG = $2.00.
b.

Suppose the regulated price of gas in 1975 had been $1.50 per thousand cubic feet,
instead of $1.00. How much excess demand would there have been?
With a regulated price of $1.50 for natural gas and a price of oil equal to $8.00 per
barrel,
Demand: QD = (-5)(1.50) + (3.75)(8) = 22.5, and
Supply: QS = 14 + (2)(1.5) + (0.25)(8) = 19.
With a supply of 19 Tcf and a demand of 22.5 Tcf, there would be an excess demand of
3.5 Tcf.

c.

Suppose that the market for natural gas had not been regulated. If the price of oil
had increased from $8 to $16, what would have happened to the free market price of
natural gas?
If the price of natural gas had not been regulated and the price of oil had increased
from $8 to $16, then
Demand: QD = -5PG + (3.75)(16) = 60 - 5PG, and
Supply: QS = 14 + 2PG + (0.25)(16) = 18 + 2PG.
Equating supply and demand and solving for the equilibrium price,
18 + 2PG = 60 - 5PG, or PG = $6.
The price of natural gas would have tripled from $2 to $6.

19

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

11. The table below shows the retail price and sales for instant coffee and roasted coffee for
1997 and 1998.
Retail Price of

Sales of

Retail Price of

Sales of

Instant Coffee

Instant Coffee

Roasted Coffee

Roasted Coffee

Year

($/lb)

(million lbs)

($/lb)

(million lbs)

1997

10.35

75

4.11

820

1998

10.48

70

3.76

850

a.
Using this data alone, estimate the short-run price elasticity of demand for roasted
coffee. Derive a linear demand curve for roasted coffee.
To find elasticity, you must first estimate the slope of the demand curve:

Q 820 850
30

85.7.
P 4.11 3.76
0.35
Given the slope, we can now estimate elasticity using the price and quantity data from
the above table. Since the demand curve is assumed to be linear, the elasticity will
differ in 1997 and 1998 because price and quantity are different. You can calculate the
elasticity at both points and at the average point between the two years:

P Q 4.11

(85.7) 0.43
Q P 820
P Q 3.76
98
Ep

(85.7) 0.38
Q P 850
P97 P98
Q 3.935
2
EpAVE

(85.7) 0.40.
Q97 Q98 P
835
2
Ep97

To derive the demand curve for roasted coffee Q=a-bP, note that the slope of the
demand curve is -85.7=-b. To find the coefficient a, use either of the data points from
the table above so that a=830+85.7*4.11=1172.3 or a=850+85.7*3.76=1172.3. The
equation for the demand curve is therefore
Q=1172.3-85.7P.
b.
Now estimate the short-run price elasticity of demand for instant coffee. Derive a
linear demand curve for instant coffee.
To find elasticity, you must first estimate the slope of the demand curve:

Q
75 70
5

38.5.
P 10.3510.48
0.13
Given the slope, we can now estimate elasticity using the price and quantity data from
the above table. Since the demand curve Q=a-bP is assumed to be linear, the elasticity
will differ in 1997 and 1998 because price and quantity are different. You can calculate
the elasticity at both points and at the average point between the two years:
97

Ep

P Q 10.35

(38.5) 5.31
Q P
75
20

Chapter 2: The Basics of Supply and Demand

98

Ep

AVE

Ep

P Q 10.48

(38.5) 5.76
Q P
70

P97 P98
Q 10.415
Q 2

(38.5) 5.53.
72.5
97 Q98 P
2

To derive the demand curve for instant coffee, note that the slope of the demand curve
is -38.5=-b. To find the coefficient a, use either of the data points from the table above
so that a=75+38.5*10.35=473.5 or a=70+38.5*10.48=473.5. The equation for the
demand curve is therefore
Q=473.5-38.5P.
c.

Which coffee has the higher short-run price elasticity of demand?

think this is the case?

Why do you

Instant coffee is significantly more elastic than roasted coffee. In fact, the demand for
roasted coffee is inelastic and the demand for instant coffee is elastic. Roasted coffee
may have an inelastic demand in the short-run as many people think of coffee as a
necessary good. Changes in the price of roasted coffee will not drastically affect
demand because people must have this good. Many people, on the other hand, may
view instant coffee, as a convenient, though imperfect, substitute for roasted coffee. For
example, if the price rises a little, the quantity demanded will fall by a large percentage
because people would rather drink roasted coffee instead of paying more for a low
quality substitute.

21