Question

Consider two markets: the market for coffee and the market for hot cocoa·The initial equilibrium for both markets is the same, the equilibrium price is $4.50, and the equilibrium quantity is 31.0. When the price is $9.75, the quantity supplied of coffee is 73.0 and the quantity supplied of hot cocoa is 101.0. For simplicity of analysis, the demand for both goods is the same. Using the midpoint formula, calculate the elasticity of supply for hot cocoa. Please round to two decimal places Supply in the market for coffee is O a.more elastic than supply in the market for hot cocoa O b. the same elasticity as supply in the market for hot cocoa. c. There is not enough information to tell which has a higher elasticity. d. less elastic than supply in the market for hot cocoa.

Answer 1

Answer:

The elasticity of supply for hot cocoa is 1.43.

(D) Supply in the market for coffee is less elastic than supply in the market for hot cocoa

Explanation:

Using the midpoint formula,

Elasticity of supply for hot cocoa = (change in quantity supplied/average quantity supplied) ÷ (change in price/average price)

change in quantity supplied = 101 - 31 = 70

average quantity supplied = (101+31)/2 = 66

70/66 = 1.06

change in price = 9.75 - 4.5 = 5.25

average price = (9.75+4.5)/2 = 7.125

5.25/7.125 = 0.74

Elasticity of supply for hot cocoa = 1.06 ÷ 0.74 = 1.43. The supply for hot cocoa is elastic because the elasticity of supply is greater than 1.

Elasticity of supply for coffee = (73 - 31)/(73+31)/2 ÷ 0.74 = 42/52 ÷ 0.74 = 0.81 ÷ 0.74 = 1.09. The supply for coffee is elastic because the elasticity of supply is greater than 1.

However, supply in the market for coffee is less elastic than supply in the market for hot cocoa because the elasticity of supply for coffee is less than that of hot coffee.