Math Problem Statement

For the demand function

q equals Upper D left parenthesis p right parenthesis equals StartRoot 335 minus p EndRootq=D(p)=335− p​,

find the following.

​a) The elasticity

​b) The elasticity at

pequals=102102​,

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)

Question content area bottom

Part 1

​a) Find the equation for elasticity.

​E(p)equals=enter your response here

Part 2

​b) Find the elasticity at the given​ price, stating whether the demand is​ elastic, inelastic or has unit elasticity.

​E(102102​)equals=enter your response here

​(Simplify your answer. Type an integer or a​ fraction.)

Part 3

Is the demand​ elastic, inelastic, or does it have unit​ elasticity?

elastic

elasticelastic

unit elasticity

unit elasticityunit elasticity

inelastic

inelasticinelastic

Part 4

​c) Find the​ value(s) of p for which total revenue is a maximum​ (assume that p is in​ dollars).

(Roundtothenearestcent.Useacommatoseparateanswersas​ needed.) ​(Round to the nearest cent. Use a comma to separate answers as​ needed.)

Solution

To solve this problem step-by-step, we will analyze the demand function q=D(p)=335pq = D(p) = \sqrt{335 - p}, and calculate the required components.


Part 1: Find the equation for elasticity, E(p)E(p)

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

  1. Calculate dqdp\frac{dq}{dp}: From q=335pq = \sqrt{335 - p}, differentiate with respect to pp: dqdp=12(335p)1/2(1)=12335p\frac{dq}{dp} = \frac{1}{2} (335 - p)^{-1/2} \cdot (-1) = -\frac{1}{2\sqrt{335 - p}}

  2. Substitute dqdp\frac{dq}{dp} and qq into E(p)E(p): q=335p,dqdp=12335pq = \sqrt{335 - p}, \quad \frac{dq}{dp} = -\frac{1}{2\sqrt{335 - p}} Therefore: E(p)=p335p(12335p)E(p) = -\frac{p}{\sqrt{335 - p}} \cdot \left(-\frac{1}{2\sqrt{335 - p}}\right) Simplify: E(p)=p2(335p)E(p) = \frac{p}{2(335 - p)}

The equation for elasticity is: E(p)=p2(335p)E(p) = \frac{p}{2(335 - p)}


Part 2: Find E(102)E(102) and determine elasticity type

Substitute p=102p = 102 into E(p)=p2(335p)E(p) = \frac{p}{2(335 - p)}: E(102)=1022(335102)E(102) = \frac{102}{2(335 - 102)} Simplify the denominator: E(102)=1022233=102466=51233E(102) = \frac{102}{2 \cdot 233} = \frac{102}{466} = \frac{51}{233}


Part 3: Determine elasticity type

Compare E(102)E(102) to 1:

  • If E(p)>1E(p) > 1, the demand is elastic.
  • If E(p)=1E(p) = 1, the demand has unit elasticity.
  • If E(p)<1E(p) < 1, the demand is inelastic.

Since 512330.219\frac{51}{233} \approx 0.219, which is less than 1, the demand is inelastic at p=102p = 102.


Part 4: Find the value(s) of pp for which total revenue is a maximum

Total revenue, R(p)R(p), is given by: R(p)=pq=p335pR(p) = p \cdot q = p \cdot \sqrt{335 - p}

  1. Differentiate R(p)R(p) with respect to pp: Using the product rule: R(p)=335p+pddp(335p)R'(p) = \sqrt{335 - p} + p \cdot \frac{d}{dp}\left(\sqrt{335 - p}\right) Substituting ddp335p=12335p\frac{d}{dp} \sqrt{335 - p} = -\frac{1}{2\sqrt{335 - p}}: R(p)=335pp2335pR'(p) = \sqrt{335 - p} - \frac{p}{2\sqrt{335 - p}}

  2. Set R(p)=0R'(p) = 0: 335p=p2335p\sqrt{335 - p} = \frac{p}{2\sqrt{335 - p}} Multiply through by 2335p2\sqrt{335 - p} to eliminate the denominator: 2(335p)=p2(335 - p) = p Simplify: 6702p=p    670=3p    p=6703223.33670 - 2p = p \quad \implies \quad 670 = 3p \quad \implies \quad p = \frac{670}{3} \approx 223.33

  3. Verify the maximum: The revenue function R(p)R(p) increases for p<223.33p < 223.33 and decreases for p>223.33p > 223.33. Thus, p=223.33p = 223.33 maximizes total revenue.


Final Answers:

(a) Elasticity equation: E(p)=p2(335p)E(p) = \frac{p}{2(335 - p)}

(b) Elasticity at p=102p = 102: E(102)=51233(approximately 0.219, inelastic)E(102) = \frac{51}{233} \quad \text{(approximately 0.219, inelastic)}

(c) Price for maximum revenue: p=223.33(rounded to nearest cent)p = 223.33 \, \text{(rounded to nearest cent)}


Do you want further explanations or detailed derivations?

Here are 5 follow-up questions to expand the topic:

  1. How is elasticity related to revenue maximization?
  2. Can you explain how elasticity varies for different demand curves?
  3. What happens to elasticity as p0p \to 0 or p335p \to 335?
  4. Why is the demand inelastic at p=102p = 102?
  5. How does differentiating total revenue help find its maximum?

Tip: For maximizing or minimizing a function, always confirm your critical points using second derivatives or monotonicity analysis!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Price Elasticity of Demand
Differentiation
Optimization

Formulas

Elasticity of demand: E(p) = -p/q * (dq/dp)
Revenue function: R(p) = p * q
Critical point determination: R'(p) = 0

Theorems

First Derivative Test
Optimization Principles in Economics

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Economics or Advanced High School Calculus