Question

. In a perfectly competitive market, the demand curve facing each individual seller is assumed to be ... a) perfectly inelastic b) moderately inelastic c) unit elasticity d) moderately elastic e) perfectly elastic

Answer 1

Answer:

e) perfectly elastic

Explanation:

Elasticity is a measure of the sensitivity of demand to the price of a product. If demand is elastic, bidders should avoid raising prices as demand decreases considerably. Conversely, when demand is inelastic, consumers are less sensitive to price changes. When demand is perfectly elastic, this means that a slight increase in the price of a good will cause all demand to flow to a competing supplier. This is observed in competitive markets where providers provide the same type of good for the market price. If one of them raises the price, he loses all of his market share. This is because consumers are rational and will buy the product that is offered at the lowest possible price.