1. Demand Analysis.
Aspen, Colorado is engaging in a bumper-sticker advertising campaign. Monthly sales data from ski shops selling the "Don't Worry-Be Happy (in Aspen)" bumper-stickers indicate that:
Q = 6,000 - 2,000P
where Q is bumper-sticker sales and P is price.
A. How many bumper-stickers could Aspen sell at $2 each?
B. What price would Aspen have to charge to sell 5,000 bumper-stickers?
C. At what price would bumper-sticker sales equal zero?
D. How many bumper-stickers could be given away?
E. Calculate the point price elasticity of demand at a price of $1.
2. Optimal Price.
Last week, Wally's Burgers, Inc. reduced the average price on the half-pound Papa burger by 1%. In response, sales jumped by 2%.
A. Calculate the point price elasticity of demand for Papa burgers.
B. Calculate the optimal price for Papa burgers if marginal cost is $1 per unit.
3. Arc Price Elasticity.
Assume that amazon.com cut the price on a 1.10ct Princess Cut Diamond Solitaire engagement ring from $4,500 to $2,500, and sales rose from 50 to 75 units per week.
A. Calculate the implied arc price elasticity of demand.
B. Is a further price decrease warranted? Why or why not?
4. Income Elasticity.
The Electronics Warehouse, Inc. is a leading retailer of home theater systems. Demand for home theater systems is sensitive to changes in national income. Electronics retailing is highly competitive, so retail demand for home theater systems is also very price-sensitive. During the past year, the Electronics Warehouse sold 550,000 home theater systems at an average retail price of $4,000 per unit. This year, GDP per household is expected to fall from $58,800 to $53,200 as the nation enters a steep recession. Without any price change, the Electronics Warehouse expects current-year sales to fall to 450,000 units.
A. Calculate the implied arc income elasticity of demand.
B. Given the projected fall in income, the sales manager believes that current volume of 550,000 units could only be maintained with a price cut of $500 per unit. On this basis, calculate the implied arc price elasticity of demand.
C. Holding all else equal, would a further increase in price result in higher or lower total revenue?