Yangon University of Economics

Executive Master of Development Studies Programme (EMDevS)

16th Batch (2018-2019)
Principle of Microeconomics (EMDevS 111)
Assignment - V

Name : Hnin Yee Hpwe

Roll No: EMDevS - 14
Date : 4th Nov 2018
Problem and Applications
Suppose that business travelers and vacationers have the following demand for airline tickets from New York
to Boston:

a. As the price of tickets rises from $200 to $250, what is the price elasticity of demand for (i) business
travelers and (ii) vacationers? (use the midpoint method in your calculations.)
b. Why might vacationers have a different elasticity from business travelers?

a. for business travelers, the price elasticity of demand when the price of tickets rises from $200 to $250
is [(2,000 – 1,900)/1,950]/[(250 – 200)/225] = 0.05/0.22 = 0.23. For vacationers, the price elasticity of
demand when the price of tickets rises from $200 to $250 is [(800 – 600)/700] / [(250 – 200)/225] =
0.29/0.22 = 1.32.
b. the price elasticity of demand for vacationers is higher than the elasticity for business travelers
because vacationers can choose more easily a different mode of transportation (like driving or taking
the train). Business travelers are less likely to do so because time is more important to them and their
schedules are less adaptable.

3. Suppose the price elasticity of demand for heating oil is 0.2 in the short run and 0.7 in the long run.
a. If the price of heating oil rises from $1.80 to $2.20 per gallon, what happens to the quantity of
heating oil
demanded in the short run? In the long run? (use the midpoint method in your calculations.)
b. Why might this elasticity depend on the time horizon?
a.The percentage change in price is equal to (2.20 – 1.80)/2.00 = 0.2 = 20%. If the price elasticity of
demand is 0.2, quantity demanded will fall by 4% in the short run [0.20 ×0.20]. If the price el
elasticity of demand is 0.7, quantity demanded will fall by 14% in the long run [0.7 ×0.2].
b. over time, consumers can make adjustments to their homes by purchasing alternative heat
sources such as natural gas or electric furnaces. Thus, they can respond more easily to the
change in the price of heating oil in the long run than in the short run.
6. Suppose that your demand schedule for DVDs is as follows:

Price Quantity of DVDs Demanded (Income = Quantity of DVDs Demanded (Income =

(Dollars) $10,000) $12,000)

8 40 50

10 32 45

12 24 30

14 16 20

16 8 12

1. Using the midpoint method, what is your price elasticity of demand as the price of DVDs increases from $8
to $10 if your income is $10,000 and if your income is $12,000?
2. If the price of a DVD is $12, what is your income elasticity of demand as your income increases from
$10,000 to $12,000? What is the income elasticity if the price of a DVD is $16?
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