Math Problem Statement

For the following demand​ function, find a.​ E, and b. the values of q​ (if any) at which total revenue is maximized. q equals 37 comma 400 minus 3 p squared Question content area bottom Part 1 a. Determine the elasticity of​ demand, E. Eequals    StartFraction 6 p squared Over 37400 minus 3 p squared EndFraction ​(Type an expression using p as the​ variable.) Part 2 b. Determine the value of q that maximizes the revenue. Select the correct choice​ below, and if​ necessary, fill in the answer box within your choice. A. Total revenue is maximized at about qequals    enter your response here ​(Round to the nearest whole number as​ needed.) B. No values of q maximize total revenue.

Solution

Let's work through the problem step-by-step.


Part 1: Elasticity of Demand (E)

The demand function is given by:
q=37,4003p2q = 37,400 - 3p^2
Elasticity of demand, EE, is generally defined as: E=pqdqdpE = \frac{p}{q} \cdot \frac{dq}{dp}

  1. Find the derivative of qq with respect to pp: dqdp=6p\frac{dq}{dp} = -6p

  2. Substitute the values of qq and dqdp\frac{dq}{dp} into the formula for EE: E=p37,4003p2(6p)=6p237,4003p2E = \frac{p}{37,400 - 3p^2} \cdot (-6p) = \frac{-6p^2}{37,400 - 3p^2}

Thus, the elasticity of demand is: E=6p237,4003p2E = \frac{6p^2}{37,400 - 3p^2}


Part 2: Values of qq that Maximize Total Revenue

Total revenue is given by: TR=pqTR = p \cdot q Since q=37,4003p2q = 37,400 - 3p^2, we substitute this into the expression for total revenue: TR=p(37,4003p2)=37,400p3p3TR = p \cdot (37,400 - 3p^2) = 37,400p - 3p^3

Now, to find the value of pp that maximizes total revenue, we take the derivative of TRTR with respect to pp and set it equal to 0.

  1. Differentiate TRTR with respect to pp: d(TR)dp=37,4009p2\frac{d(TR)}{dp} = 37,400 - 9p^2

  2. Set the derivative equal to 0: 37,4009p2=037,400 - 9p^2 = 0 9p2=37,4009p^2 = 37,400 p2=37,4009=4,155.56p^2 = \frac{37,400}{9} = 4,155.56 p=4,155.5664.5p = \sqrt{4,155.56} \approx 64.5

  3. Find the corresponding value of qq: Substituting p=64.5p = 64.5 into the demand function: q=37,4003(64.5)2=37,40012,495.75=24,904.2524,904q = 37,400 - 3(64.5)^2 = 37,400 - 12,495.75 = 24,904.25 \approx 24,904

So, the value of qq that maximizes total revenue is approximately: q24,904q \approx 24,904


Final Answers:

Part 1:
E=6p237,4003p2E = \frac{6p^2}{37,400 - 3p^2}

Part 2:
A. Total revenue is maximized at approximately q=24,904q = 24,904.


Follow-up Questions:

  1. How does elasticity of demand relate to maximizing revenue?
  2. What happens to total revenue if pp is increased beyond 64.5?
  3. Can we use the second derivative test to confirm that this value of pp gives a maximum?
  4. How would the result change if the demand function had a linear form?
  5. How does elasticity change as the price pp increases?

Tip:

The total revenue is maximized when the price elasticity of demand is equal to 1 (unitary elastic).

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Elasticity of Demand
Optimization
Revenue Maximization

Formulas

Elasticity of Demand: E = (p / q) * (dq / dp)
Derivative of Total Revenue: d(TR) / dp = 37,400 - 9p²

Theorems

First Derivative Test for Maximum
Revenue Maximization occurs when Elasticity = 1 (Unitary Elastic)

Suitable Grade Level

College-Level Economics or Calculus