The price elasticity ( ε ) of demand for Q has been estimated at -0.5. Current consumption Q* is 70 units and market price (P*) is 0.70.
a. Fit a linear demand curve to the observed market data. Illustrate your result using a suitably labelled diagram. Hint: ε - = b(P*/Q*)and the equation for a linear demand function is Q* = a-bP*.
b. Now assume that the price of Q increases to P* = 0.80. Using your estimated demand function, calculate the change in consumer surplus arising from the price increase. Illustrate your result.