Math Problem Statement

For the demand function q equals Upper D left parenthesis p right parenthesis equals StartRoot 384 minus p EndRootq=D(p)=384− p​, find the following. ​a) The elasticity ​b) The elasticity at pequals=103103​, stating whether the demand is​ elastic, inelastic or has unit elasticity ​c) The​ value(s) of p for which total revenue is a maximum​ (assume that p is in​ dollars)

Solution

Let's solve this step-by-step.

Given Demand Function

The demand function is: q=D(p)=384pq = D(p) = \sqrt{384 - p}

(a) The Elasticity of Demand

The price elasticity of demand E(p)E(p) is given by: E(p)=pqdqdpE(p) = \frac{p}{q} \cdot \frac{dq}{dp}

First, let's find dqdp\frac{dq}{dp} by differentiating q=384pq = \sqrt{384 - p} with respect to pp.

  1. Differentiate qq with respect to pp: q=(384p)12q = (384 - p)^{\frac{1}{2}} Using the chain rule: dqdp=12(384p)12(1)=12384p\frac{dq}{dp} = \frac{1}{2}(384 - p)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \cdot (-1) = -\frac{1}{2\sqrt{384 - p}}

  2. Substitute into the elasticity formula: Now, we substitute q=384pq = \sqrt{384 - p} and dqdp=12384p\frac{dq}{dp} = -\frac{1}{2\sqrt{384 - p}}: E(p)=p384p(12384p)E(p) = \frac{p}{\sqrt{384 - p}} \cdot \left(-\frac{1}{2\sqrt{384 - p}}\right) Simplify: E(p)=p2(384p)E(p) = -\frac{p}{2(384 - p)}

So, the elasticity of demand is: E(p)=p2(384p)E(p) = -\frac{p}{2(384 - p)}

(b) Elasticity at p=103p = 103

Now, substitute p=103p = 103 into E(p)E(p): E(103)=1032(384103)=1032×281=1035620.1833E(103) = -\frac{103}{2(384 - 103)} = -\frac{103}{2 \times 281} = -\frac{103}{562} \approx -0.1833

Since E(103)<1|E(103)| < 1, the demand is inelastic at p=103p = 103.

(c) The Value(s) of pp for Maximum Total Revenue

Total revenue R(p)R(p) is given by: R(p)=pq=p384pR(p) = p \cdot q = p \cdot \sqrt{384 - p}

To maximize revenue, we need to find the critical points of R(p)R(p) by differentiating it with respect to pp and setting the derivative to zero.

  1. Differentiate R(p)R(p): R(p)=p384p=p(384p)12R(p) = p \cdot \sqrt{384 - p} = p(384 - p)^{\frac{1}{2}} Using the product rule and chain rule: dRdp=384p+p(12384p)\frac{dR}{dp} = \sqrt{384 - p} + p \cdot \left(-\frac{1}{2\sqrt{384 - p}}\right) Simplifying: dRdp=384pp2384p\frac{dR}{dp} = \frac{384 - p - \frac{p}{2}}{\sqrt{384 - p}} Setting

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Elasticity of Demand
Differentiation
Revenue Maximization
Demand Functions

Formulas

Elasticity of Demand: E(p) = (p/q) * (dq/dp)
Revenue Function: R(p) = p * q

Theorems

Chain Rule
Product Rule
Maximization of Functions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12