Question

For each of the following products, indicate whether you believe demand will be relatively price elastic or relatively price inelastic. Give economic reasons for each reply. Remember that high demand does NOT imply high elasticity. High elasticity occurs if a change in quantity demanded is relatively large compared to the associated change in price regardless of how high the quantity demanded is to begin with.

a. Mayonnaise in general
b. A specific brand of mayonnaise
c. Chevrolet automobiles
d. Tesla automobiles
e. Washing machines
f. Beer   

Answer 1

Note that goods that are considered in general have a broad demand and goods with broad demand are inelastic as there are no substitutes for them. Goods that are specific by nature have narrow demand and have elastic demand because consumers can switch to others if the price is increased slightly.

Hence Mayonnaise in general, Washing machines and beer have inelastic demand as there are no close substitutes. The remaining three, namely, specific brand of mayonnaise, Chevrolet automobiles and Tesla automobiles have elastic demand.