📚 Learning Guide
Price Elasticity and Revenue
hard

How does the price elasticity of demand affect total revenue for luxury goods when their prices increase, and how does this relate to cross-price elasticity with substitute goods?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Total revenue decreases because luxury goods are elastic, and substitutes have a positive cross-price elasticity.

B

Total revenue increases because luxury goods are inelastic, and substitutes have a negative cross-price elasticity.

C

Total revenue remains unchanged because luxury goods have unitary elasticity, regardless of substitutes.

D

Total revenue decreases because luxury goods are elastic, and substitutes have a negative cross-price elasticity.

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

Price elasticity of demand measures how much the quantity demanded of a good changes when its price changes. For luxury goods, demand is often elastic, meaning that when prices increase, people buy significantly less of them. This decrease in quantity sold can lead to a decrease in total revenue because the loss in sales outweighs the higher price per unit. For instance, if a luxury car's price goes up, many buyers might decide not to purchase it, leading to lower overall sales and revenue. Additionally, if there are substitute goods available, the cross-price elasticity comes into play, as consumers may turn to those alternatives, further reducing sales of the luxury item.

Detailed Explanation

When luxury goods have elastic demand, a price increase leads to a big drop in sales. Other options are incorrect because This answer suggests that luxury goods are inelastic, which means people would still buy them even if prices rise; This option claims that total revenue stays the same.

Key Concepts

price elasticity of demand
luxury goods
cross-price elasticity
Topic

Price Elasticity and Revenue

Difficulty

hard level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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