📚 Learning Guide
Market Demand and Equilibrium Changes
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Which of the following statements correctly describe the effects of a decrease in consumer income on the dairy market in terms of demand and equilibrium? Select all that apply.

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Choose the Best Answer

A

A decrease in consumer income will likely shift the demand curve for milk to the left, resulting in lower equilibrium prices.

B

The supply curve for milk will shift to the right as firms increase production to compensate for lower prices.

C

Individual firms in the dairy market will maximize profit by adjusting output until marginal cost equals marginal revenue.

D

A leftward shift in the demand curve can lead to a surplus of milk in the market, causing firms to incur losses.

E

Consumer preferences will remain unchanged regardless of income fluctuations, therefore demand will not be affected.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When consumer income decreases, people generally have less money to spend, which can lead to a lower demand for many products, including dairy. As consumers have less income, they might buy less milk, cheese, and yogurt because these items are not considered necessities like bread or rice. This decrease in demand means that at the original price, fewer people are willing to buy dairy products, causing a shift in the demand curve to the left. As a result, the equilibrium price of dairy products may fall because sellers may need to lower prices to attract buyers. For example, if a gallon of milk was $4, it might drop to $3 if many consumers decide to buy less milk due to their reduced income.

Detailed Explanation

A decrease in consumer income usually means people have less money to spend. Other options are incorrect because This option suggests that demand will shift left, but it doesn't explain how that affects prices correctly; This option assumes that lower prices will make firms produce more, which is not true.

Key Concepts

Market Demand
Equilibrium Changes
Profit Maximization
Topic

Market Demand and Equilibrium Changes

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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