This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: Do all consumers in a competitive market receive the same level of consumer surplus? Explain with an ... (Read 793 times)

saraeharris

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 546
Do all consumers in a competitive market receive the same level of consumer surplus? Explain with an example.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why do we need a units-free measure of the responsiveness of the quantity supplied of a good or service to a change in its price?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

ecox1012

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 344
Answer to Question 1

The amount of consumer surplus that each consumer enjoys will depend on the market price and the consumer's willingness to pay, which is derived from his or her individual demand curve. Thus, in a market where all consumers pay the same price, the higher an individual consumer's willingness to pay, the greater his consumer surplus. Suppose you and your friend were both buying French fries, but you like them much more than your friend does. Your consumer surplus in this case will be higher than your friend's because your willingness to pay for them is higher.

Answer to Question 2

The elasticity of supply is a units-free measure. We need a units-free measure of the elasticity of supply for the same reason we need a units-free measure of the elasticity of demand: Because the value of the elasticity of supply is independent of the units used to measure the price and quantity of the good, the elasticity of supply can be compared across the same good when quantity is measured in different units and/or the price is measured in different currencies. In addition, the elasticities of supply of different goods also can be compared even though they are measured in different units.





 

Did you know?

Interferon was scarce and expensive until 1980, when the interferon gene was inserted into bacteria using recombinant DNA technology, allowing for mass cultivation and purification from bacterial cultures.

Did you know?

The first war in which wide-scale use of anesthetics occurred was the Civil War, and 80% of all wounds were in the extremities.

Did you know?

Throughout history, plants containing cardiac steroids have been used as heart drugs and as poisons (e.g., in arrows used in combat), emetics, and diuretics.

Did you know?

Though Candida and Aspergillus species are the most common fungal pathogens causing invasive fungal disease in the immunocompromised, infections due to previously uncommon hyaline and dematiaceous filamentous fungi are occurring more often today. Rare fungal infections, once accurately diagnosed, may require surgical debridement, immunotherapy, and newer antifungals used singly or in combination with older antifungals, on a case-by-case basis.

Did you know?

In 1864, the first barbiturate (barbituric acid) was synthesized.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library