📚 Learning Guide
Elasticity and Tax Incidence
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If the supply of a good is perfectly inelastic and the income elasticity of demand for that good is positive, what will be the effect of an increase in consumer income on the market equilibrium price of the good?

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Learning Path

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Choose the Best Answer

A

The price will decrease

B

The price will remain the same

C

The price will increase

D

The price will fluctuate randomly

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When the supply of a good is perfectly inelastic, it means that the quantity supplied does not change regardless of the price. If the income elasticity of demand for that good is positive, it suggests that as consumer incomes rise, the demand for the good also increases. This increase in demand, while the supply remains unchanged, will lead to a higher market equilibrium price because more consumers are willing to pay more for the same limited quantity available. For example, if a luxury product like a rare painting has a fixed supply and more wealthy buyers enter the market, the price of that painting will likely rise as people compete to purchase it. Thus, an increase in consumer income will result in a higher price for the good due to increased demand against a fixed supply.

Detailed Explanation

When income goes up, people want more of the good. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that more income means lower prices; It's a common mistake to think prices stay the same with more income.

Key Concepts

income elasticity of demand
perfectly inelastic supply
Topic

Elasticity and Tax Incidence

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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