📚 Learning Guide
Price Ceilings and Market Outcomes
easy

A government sets a price ceiling on a basic food item, resulting in a significant shortage. Which of the following best explains why this situation occurred?

Master this concept with our detailed explanation and step-by-step learning approach

Learning Path
Learning Path

Question & Answer
1
Understand Question
2
Review Options
3
Learn Explanation
4
Explore Topic

Choose the Best Answer

A

The price ceiling was set below the equilibrium price, causing excess demand.

B

The price ceiling was set above the equilibrium price, leading to surplus.

C

The price ceiling had no effect on the market, as it was irrelevant.

D

The price ceiling increased supply, thus reducing shortages.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

A price ceiling is a limit set by the government on how high the price of a good can go. When the government sets this limit below the market price, it makes the good cheaper for consumers, but it can also lead to a shortage because producers may not want to sell at that lower price. For example, if rice is normally sold for $2 a pound but the government sets a price ceiling at $1. 50, farmers might decide to produce less rice because they won't make enough money. As a result, more people want to buy rice at the lower price, but there isn’t enough rice available, leading to a shortage.

Detailed Explanation

A price ceiling is a limit on how high a price can go. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that setting a high price would lead to too much of the item; It's a common mistake to think that price ceilings have no effect.

Key Concepts

Price Ceilings
Market Equilibrium
Supply and Demand
Topic

Price Ceilings and Market Outcomes

Difficulty

easy level question

Cognitive Level

understand

Ready to Master More Topics?

Join thousands of students using Seekh's interactive learning platform to excel in their studies with personalized practice and detailed explanations.