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A product sells according to the demand function \( q=16 p-p^{2} \). Find the price elasticity of demand when the selling price is \( \$ 11.51 \). The price elasticity of demand is increase revenue, the price must ? when the price is \( \$ 11.51 \) dollars. To

Ask by Allan Bowers. in the United States
Feb 02,2025

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Answer

At a price of \$11.51, the demand is elastic. To increase revenue, the price should be **decreased** from \$11.51.

Solution

To determine the **price elasticity of demand** and the appropriate pricing strategy to **increase revenue** when the selling price is **\$11.51**, follow these steps: ### 1. **Demand Function** Given the demand function: \[ q = 16p - p^2 \] where: - \( q \) = quantity demanded - \( p \) = price ### 2. **Calculate the Derivative \( \frac{dq}{dp} \)** \[ \frac{dq}{dp} = \frac{d}{dp}(16p - p^2) = 16 - 2p \] At \( p = \$11.51 \): \[ \frac{dq}{dp} = 16 - 2(11.51) = 16 - 23.02 = -7.02 \] ### 3. **Determine Quantity Demanded \( q \) at \( p = \$11.51 \)** \[ q = 16(11.51) - (11.51)^2 = 184.16 - 132.48 = 51.68 \] ### 4. **Calculate Price Elasticity of Demand \( E \)** The price elasticity of demand is given by: \[ E = \frac{dq}{dp} \times \frac{p}{q} \] Plugging in the values: \[ E = (-7.02) \times \frac{11.51}{51.68} \approx -7.02 \times 0.2226 \approx -1.566 \] ### 5. **Interpretation of Elasticity** - **Elasticity Value**: \( E \approx -1.566 \) - **Absolute Value**: \( |E| = 1.566 \) (greater than 1) Since \( |E| > 1 \), the **demand is elastic** at this price point. ### 6. **Pricing Strategy to Increase Revenue** - **Elastic Demand (\( |E| > 1 \))**: Decreasing the price will increase total revenue. - **Reasoning**: When demand is elastic, consumers are sensitive to price changes. Lowering the price leads to a proportionally larger increase in quantity demanded, thereby increasing total revenue. ### **Conclusion** - **Price Elasticity of Demand at \$11.51**: Approximately **-1.566**. - **Recommended Action to Increase Revenue**: **Decrease the price** from **\$11.51**.

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To find the price elasticity of demand when the selling price is \( p = 11.51 \), we first need to compute the quantity demanded \( q \) at that price. Substituting \( p \) into the demand function gives us \( q = 16 \times 11.51 - (11.51)^2 = 184.16 - 132.49 = 51.67 \). Now we find the derivative of \( q \) with respect to \( p \), which is \( \frac{dq}{dp} = 16 - 2p \). Evaluating this at \( p = 11.51 \) gives us \( \frac{dq}{dp} = 16 - 2 \times 11.51 = -7.02 \). Now, we can calculate the price elasticity of demand using the formula: \[ E_d = \frac{dq}{dp} \times \frac{p}{q} \] Substituting the values we have: \[ E_d = -7.02 \times \frac{11.51}{51.67} \approx -1.58 \] Since the price elasticity of demand is negative and has an absolute value greater than 1, it indicates that the demand is elastic. To increase revenue, the price must decrease when the price is \( \$ 11.51 \) dollars. When it comes to interpreting elasticity, it’s important to remember that a price cut may lead to a more than proportional increase in quantity sold, benefiting overall revenue. Conversely, a price increase could severely affect sales volume. Adjusting prices skillfully based on elasticity can turn a dull sales day into a profit party! For more in-depth exploration of price elasticity and demand, books like "Principles of Economics" by N. Gregory Mankiw or "Microeconomics" by Paul Krugman provide excellent theories and real-world applications. Additionally, online resources like Khan Academy offer free video tutorials that make complex economic concepts more digestible and engaging.

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