Question

Hubert: Demand decreased, but it was perfectly inelastic. Kate: Demand decreased, but supply was perfectly inelastic. Manuel: Demand decreased, but supply increased at the same time. Poornima: Supply increased, but demand was perfectly inelastic. Shen: Supply increased, but demand was unit elastic. Who could possibly be right

Answer 1

The complete part of the question.

The price of coffee fell sharply last month, while the quantity sold remained the same. Five people suggest various explanations

Answer:

Kate, Manuel and Poornima

Explanation:

Given that, the price of coffee fell but the quantity sold remained the same.

1. Hubert: Demand decreased, but it was perfectly inelastic.

If an elastic demand shifts the demand curve will move to the left. This would cause both prices as well as quantity to decline. So HUBERT's statement is not correct.

2. Kate: Demand decreased, but supply was perfectly inelastic.

This can be true, because of the inelastic supply curve. If the supply curve is an inelastic vertical line then a fall in demand will not affect quantity while the price will fall. So, KATE's statement can be right.

3. Manuel: Demand decreased, but supply increased at the same time.

If there is a decrease in the demand curve, it will shift to the left. Now, if there is an increase in the supply by the same amount the price will fall but quantity will remain the same. So, MANUEL's statement is right.

4. Poornima: Supply increased, but demand was perfectly inelastic.

Here, the rightward shift in the supply curve will cause the price to fall but quantity will remain the same. So, POORNIMA's statement is right.

5. Shen: Supply increased, but demand was unit elastic.

if the demand curve is unitary elastic, an increase in supply will cause the price to fall and quantity to increase. So, SHEN's statement is not correct.