Question

Blake eats two bags of generic potato chips each day. Blake's hourly wage increases from $ 8 to $ 15 , and he decides to stop eating generic chips and instead eats a name-brand potato chip. Use the midpoint method to calculate Blake's income elasticity of demand for generic potato chips. Round your answer to two decimal places.

Answer 1

Answer:

-3.28

Explanation:

Given that,

Initial quantity, Q1 = 2

Final quantity, Q2 = 0

Change in quantity = Q2 - Q1

                                = 0 - 2

                                = -2

Initial income, M1 = $8

Final income, M2 = $15

Change in Income = M2 - M1

                               = $15 - $8

                               = $7

Average quantity:

= (2 + 0) ÷ 2

= 1

Average income:

= (15 + 8) ÷ 2

= 11.5

Therefore,

Percentage change in quantity demanded:

= (Change in quantity demanded ÷ Average quantity) × 100

= (-2 ÷ 1) × 100

= -200%

Percentage change in income:

= (Change in income ÷ Average income) × 100

= (7 ÷ 11.5) × 100

= 60.87%

Income elasticity of demand:

= Percentage change in quantity demanded ÷ Percentage change in income

= -200 ÷ 60.87

= -3.28