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4.2: Elasticity

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    210834
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    Elasticity is one of the most important microeconomic concepts. Its importance is based on its usefulness. One cannot successfully run a business without a solid understanding of elasticity.

    Sensitivity

    If one word could describe the concept of elasticity it would be sensitivity. Elasticity is basically a sensitivity test.

    Question: Whose sensitivity is being tested?

    Answer: Suppliers and demanders.

    Elasticity tests supplier and demander sensitivity to changes in market conditions.

    Building Upon the Laws of Supply and Demand

    We know the basics about how suppliers and demanders react to changes in market conditions. For example:

    These relationships between the determinants of demand and supply are examples of simple correlation. The usefulness stemming from this knowledge is limited. No one got rich by knowing that an increase in price leads to a decrease in quantity demanded.

    Elasticity goes beyond simple correlation. Elasticity shows the magnitude of the change in both the determinant demand or supply (like price) and quantity demand or supply.


    This page titled 4.2: Elasticity is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Martin Medeiros.

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