Elasticity of Demand : –
There are various factors, which can result in change in demand of a commodity. Some of these factors, may result in a high change in demand, while others may result in a low change in demand. Elasticity of Demand refers to the percentage change in demand for a given commodity , when there is a particular percentage change in any of the factors affecting demand for that commodity.
Elasticity of demand = Percentage change in demand for a given commodity
Percentage change in any of the factors affecting demand for that commodity
Types of Elasticity of demand : –
- Price Elasticity of demand :- Price Elasticity of demand refers to the percentage change in demand for a commodity, with respect to percentage change in the price of the given commodity.
- Cross Elasticity of demand : – Cross elasticity of demand refers to the percentage change in demand for a commodity ,with respect to percentage change in the price of a substitute good or complementary good.
- Income Elasticity of demand:- Income elasticity of demand refers to the percentage change in demand for a commodity, with respect to percentage change in the income of the consumer.
Price elasticity of demand:-
Price Elasticity of Demand , means the degree of responsiveness of demand for a commodity , with reference to change in the price of such commodity.
Features of Price Elasticity : –
- Price Elasticity of Demand establishes a quantitative relationship, between quantity demanded of a commodity and its price, while other factors remain constant. This means, what will be the quantitative change in the demand of a given commodity, if the price of the commodity changes . It is assumed that all other factors which can impact demand remain constant.
- A Higher numerical value of Price Elasticity of Demand implies that, change in price of the commodity significantly impacts the quantity demanded for such commodity.
- Change in price different goods may lead to a different change in the demand of such goods. In some cases , there maybe a small change in demand due to change in price, Where is another cases there maybe a large change in demand due to change in price. For example, if prices of Petrol and Apple rise by 2% and their demands falls by 20% and 5% respectively, then commodity ‘Petrol’ is said to be more elastic as compared to commodity ‘Apple’.
- Given that price is the most important factor which determines demand, price elasticity of demand is also referred to as “Elasticity of demand” or “demand Elasticity” or “Elasticity”.