📚 Learning Guide
Long Response Questions in AP Economics
hard

If a price floor is set above the market equilibrium price in the potato market, what is the most likely underlying cause for the resulting surplus of potatoes?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Producers increase supply due to higher prices, but consumers buy less at those prices.

B

Consumers are unaware of the price floor and continue to demand the same quantity.

C

The government subsidizes potato production, causing a shift in demand.

D

The market becomes perfectly competitive, leading to optimal resource allocation.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

A price floor is a minimum price set by the government, and when it is set above the market equilibrium price, it means that the price is higher than what buyers and sellers would naturally agree on. In the potato market, if the price floor is too high, producers will want to supply more potatoes because they can sell them for a better price. However, consumers may not want to buy as many potatoes at this higher price, leading to fewer purchases. This mismatch creates a surplus, where there are more potatoes available than people are willing to buy. For example, if the equilibrium price for potatoes is $1 per pound, but the price floor is set at $1.

Detailed Explanation

When the government sets a price floor above the market price, potatoes cost more. Other options are incorrect because This answer suggests that consumers don't know about the price floor; This option implies that government support changes how many potatoes people want.

Key Concepts

Price Floors
Market Equilibrium
Supply and Demand
Topic

Long Response Questions in AP Economics

Difficulty

hard level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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