Math Problem Statement

Homework:Section 3.7 Enhanced Homework Question Part 1 of 4 Completed: 5 of 11 My score: 5/11 pts (45.45%)

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Question content area top Part 1 For the demand function q equals Upper D left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals StartFraction 300 Over x EndFraction ​, find the following. ​a) The elasticity ​b) The elasticity at xequals1​, stating whether the demand is​ elastic, inelastic, or has unit elasticity ​c) The​ value(s) of x for which total revenue is a maximum​ (assume that x is in​ dollars) Question content area bottom Part 1 ​a) Find the equation for elasticity. Upper E left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals    enter your response here Upper E left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals Help me solve this View an example Get more help

Solution

To solve this problem, let's go through the steps one by one.

Given Information:

The demand function is: q=D(x)=300xq = D(x) = \frac{300}{x}

Part (a): Finding the Equation for Elasticity, E(x)E(x)

The elasticity of demand is defined as: E(x)=dD(x)dxxD(x)E(x) = -\frac{dD(x)}{dx} \cdot \frac{x}{D(x)}

Step 1: Find D(x)D(x) and dD(x)dx\frac{dD(x)}{dx}.

  1. Rewrite the demand function: D(x)=300xD(x) = \frac{300}{x}

  2. Differentiate D(x)D(x) with respect to xx: dD(x)dx=300x2\frac{dD(x)}{dx} = -\frac{300}{x^2}

Step 2: Substitute into the Elasticity Formula.

Now, we substitute D(x)D(x) and dD(x)dx\frac{dD(x)}{dx} into the elasticity formula: E(x)=(300x2)x300xE(x) = -\left(-\frac{300}{x^2}\right) \cdot \frac{x}{\frac{300}{x}}

Simplify this expression:

  1. The negative signs cancel out: E(x)=300x2x300xE(x) = \frac{300}{x^2} \cdot \frac{x}{\frac{300}{x}}

  2. Multiply the terms: E(x)=300xx2300x=xx=1E(x) = \frac{300x}{x^2 \cdot \frac{300}{x}} = \frac{x}{x} = 1

So, the elasticity E(x)E(x) is:

E(x)=1E(x) = 1

This is the elasticity function, and it tells us about the elasticity of the demand at any price level xx.


Would you like further details on parts (b) and (c), or have questions about this solution?

Expanding Questions

  1. How does elasticity impact revenue?
  2. What determines whether demand is elastic, inelastic, or unit elastic?
  3. Why is differentiation used to find elasticity?
  4. How does price elasticity of demand vary with different types of products?
  5. What is the economic significance of unit elasticity?

Tip:

For revenue maximization, remember that demand elasticity is a key factor. When demand is unit elastic, revenue is typically maximized at that price point.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Elasticity of demand
Differentiation
Demand functions
Revenue maximization

Formulas

E(x) = -dD(x)/dx * x/D(x)
D(x) = 300/x

Theorems

Elasticity of demand
Revenue maximization theory

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12