📚 Learning Guide
Supply and Demand Interactions
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A sudden increase in the minimum wage law leads to a significant rise in labor costs for a fast-food chain. How would this impact the supply curve for the fast-food market, and what could be the potential consequence on market equilibrium?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

The supply curve shifts left, leading to higher prices and lower quantities sold.

B

The supply curve shifts right, causing prices to decrease and quantities to increase.

C

The supply curve remains unchanged, as labor costs do not affect supply.

D

The demand curve shifts left, resulting in higher prices and quantities sold.

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

When the minimum wage increases, it raises the cost of hiring workers for fast-food chains. This means that the companies will find it more expensive to operate, leading them to supply less food at the same price. As a result, the supply curve shifts to the left, indicating a decrease in supply. For example, if a fast-food restaurant used to sell 100 burgers a day but now can only afford to sell 80 due to higher labor costs, this reduction in supply can lead to higher prices for burgers. Ultimately, this shift can create a new market equilibrium where prices are higher and fewer burgers are sold.

Detailed Explanation

When labor costs go up, it costs more for the fast-food chain to make food. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that higher costs would make businesses produce more to cover expenses; It's a common mistake to think that costs don't affect supply.

Key Concepts

Supply Curve Dynamics
Market Equilibrium
Labor Costs
Topic

Supply and Demand Interactions

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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