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Chapter 3

Introducing Supply and Demand

Book Version 3
By Boundless
Boundless Economics
Economics
by Boundless
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Section 1
Demand
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The Law of Demand

In general, the law of demand states that the quantity demanded and the price of a good or service is inversely related, other things remaining constant.

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Demand Schedules and Demand Curves

A demand curve depicts the price and quantity combinations listed in a demand schedule.

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Market Demand

Market demand is the summation of the individual quantities that consumers are willing to purchase at a given price.

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Ceteris Paribus

Ceteris paribus is defined as "all else being equal," or "holding all else constant".

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Changes in Demand and Shifts in the Demand Curve

Demand is the relationship between the willingness to purchase a quantity of a good or service at a specific price.

Section 2
Supply
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The Law of Supply

The law of supply states that there is a positive relationship between the quantity that suppliers are willing to sell and the price level.

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Supply Schedules and Supply Curves

A supply schedule is a tabular depiction of the relationship between price and quantity supplied, represented graphically as a supply curve.

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Market Supply

Market supply is the summation of the individual supply curves within a specific market where the market is characterized as being perfectly competitive.

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Determinants of Supply

Supply levels are determined by price, which increases or decreases supply along the price curve, and non-price factors, which shifts the entire curve.

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Changes in Supply and Shifts in the Supply Curve

The supply curve depicts the supplier's positive relationship between price and quantity.

Section 3
Market Equilibrium
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Clearing the Market at Equilibrium Price and Quantity

When a market achieves perfect equilibrium there is no excess supply or demand, which theoretically results in a market clearing.

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Impacts of Surpluses and Shortages on Market Equilibrium

The existence of surpluses or shortages in supply will result in disequilibrium, or a lack of balance between supply and demand levels.

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Changes in Demand and Supply and Impacts on Equilibrium

Alterations to overall supply or demand dictate the cross-section or equilibrium, ascertaining price and volume for a product or service.

Section 4
Government Intervention and Disequilibrium
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Why Governments Intervene In Markets

Governments intervene in markets when they inefficiently allocate resources.

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Price Ceilings

A price ceiling is a price control that limits how high a price can be charged for a good or service.

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Price Ceiling Impact on Market Outcome

A binding price ceiling will create a surplus of supply and will lead to a decrease in economic surplus.

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Price Floors

A binding price floor is a price control that limits how low a price can be charged for a product or service.

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Price Floor Impact on Market Outcome

Binding price floors typically cause excess supply and decreased total economic surplus.

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Introduction to Deadweight Loss

Deadweight loss is the decrease in economic efficiency that occurs when a good or service is not priced at its pareto optimal level.

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Arguments for and Against Government Price Controls

Many argue that price controls ensure resource availability, but most economists agree that these controls should be used sparingly.

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Taxes

Governments use its tax systems to raise funds for its programs and influence its citizens' economic actions.

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Taxation Impact on Economic Output

Tax incidence falls mostly upon the group that responds least to price, or has the most inelastic price-quantity curve.

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Boundless Economics by Boundless
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The Market System
  • Introducing the Market System
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Chapter 3
Introducing Supply and Demand
  • Demand
  • Supply
  • Market Equilibrium
  • Government Intervention and Disequilibrium
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Economic Surplus
  • Consumer Surplus
  • Producer Surplus
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