📚 Learning Guide
Price Floors in Competitive Markets
easy

If the government sets a price floor for potatoes at $7, what is the likely outcome in the market?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Increased supply and decreased consumer demand leading to a surplus

B

Increased consumer demand leading to a shortage

C

Equilibrium price will rise immediately to $7

D

Producers will reduce supply to maintain higher prices

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When the government sets a price floor for potatoes at $7, it means that sellers cannot sell potatoes for less than this price. This can lead to a situation where the price is higher than what many consumers are willing to pay, resulting in fewer people buying potatoes. As a consequence, farmers might produce more potatoes because they are guaranteed a higher price, but if consumers are not buying them, there will be excess potatoes left unsold. For example, if the usual market price for potatoes is $5, and now it’s set at $7, some consumers may choose to buy fewer potatoes or look for substitutes. Overall, a price floor can cause a surplus in the market, where supply exceeds demand.

Detailed Explanation

When the price is set above what people want to pay, more potatoes are made, but fewer people buy them. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that higher prices mean more people want to buy; It's a common mistake to think prices will just jump to the new floor.

Key Concepts

Price Floors
Market Surplus
Government Intervention
Topic

Price Floors in Competitive Markets

Difficulty

easy level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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