📚 Learning Guide
Elasticity of Demand and Taxation
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How does an increase in taxation on a good with elastic demand affect consumer surplus and deadweight loss?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Increases consumer surplus and decreases deadweight loss

B

Decreases consumer surplus and increases deadweight loss

C

Increases both consumer surplus and deadweight loss

D

Decreases both consumer surplus and deadweight loss

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When the government increases taxes on a good that has elastic demand, it means that consumers are very sensitive to price changes. As the price of the good goes up due to the tax, many consumers may choose to buy less of it or find alternatives. This decrease in quantity demanded leads to a reduction in consumer surplus, which is the benefit consumers get from buying a product at a lower price than they are willing to pay. For example, if a popular snack increases in price because of a tax, some people might stop buying it altogether or switch to a cheaper brand. Additionally, the tax can create deadweight loss, which is the loss of economic efficiency that occurs when the quantity of a good traded in the market is reduced, meaning total welfare is not maximized.

Detailed Explanation

When taxes go up on a product that people can easily find substitutes for, people buy less. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that higher taxes help consumers by making things better for everyone; This option suggests that both consumer surplus and deadweight loss increase.

Key Concepts

Consumer surplus
Deadweight loss
Topic

Elasticity of Demand and Taxation

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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