Economics 4/26/11
http://mrmilewski.com
• OBJECTIVE: Examine how change in demand can affect
the prices of goods.
• I. Journal #19 pt.A
-Read “Profiles in Economics” p.141
-Answer question #1 p.141
• II. Quiz#11
• III. Return of Chapter#5 Test
• IV. Journal#19 pt.B
-notes on how inelastic & elastic demand effects prices
• V. Journal#19 pt.C
-Questions on NBR
NOTICE: Journals 11-20 Due TOMORROW!
How is price determined?
• Price is determined by
the intersection of the
supply and demand
curves.
Inelastic Demand v. Elastic Demand
Figure 6.3a
Figure 6.3b
Changes in Demand
• A change in demand, like a change in
supply, can also affect the price of a good or
service.
• All of the factors we examined in Chapter
4–changes in income, tastes, prices of
related products, expectations, and the
number of consumers–affect the market
demand for goods and services.
Demand for Gold
Figure 6.4
• One example is the
demand for gold.
Figure 6.4 shows why
gold prices have
changed so
dramatically over a
20-year period.
Why Gold Prices Fell
• Whenever economic conditions or political instability
threatens, people tend to increase their demand for gold
and drive the price up.
• Whenever the supply of gold increases dramatically–as
when a major holder of gold like the Bank of England sells
half of its gold holdings–the supply of gold increases,
driving the price down.
• Price of gold 10/26/06: $584.40
• Price of gold 10/6/08: $886.40
• Price of gold 1/20/09: $846.94
• Price of gold 10/13/09: $1066.07
• Price of gold 10/11/10: $1340.36
• Price of gold 4/26/11: $1501.68
2 Year Gold Price
10 Year Gold
36 Year Gold
NBR – segments 6-7
• 1.) Why did farmers adjust their milk
production following the holiday season of
1998?
• 2.) Why did Kodak cut jobs in 1999?
• 3.) What does leaner & meaner mean?
• 4.) What is the elasticity of vacation homes?
• 5.) What is the elasticity of prescription
drugs?
Economics 4/27/11
http://mrmilewski.com
• OBJECTIVE: Examine the price system at work.
• I. Journal#20 pt.A
-Read “The Global Economy” p.138
-Answer questions (1-2) p.138
• II. Journal#20 pt.B
-notes on the price system at work
• III. Mindjogger
-video quiz on price
• NOTICE: Journals 11-20 Due!
Price Adjustment Process
• “Because transactions in a market economy
are voluntary, the compromise that
eventually takes place must be to the benefit
of both parties, or the compromise would
not occur in the first place.” p.142
Market Equilibrium
• When prices are relatively stable, and the
quantity of goods and services supplied is
equal to the quantity demanded.
Surplus & Shortage
• Surplus – a situation in which the quantity
supplied is greater than the quantity
demanded at a given price.
• Shortage – a situation in which the quantity
demanded is greater than the quantity
supplied at a given price.
The Price Adjustment Process
Explaining and Predicting Prices
• Economists use market models to explain how
the world around us works and predict how
certain events such as changes in prices might
occur.
• A change in price is normally the result of a
change in supply, a change in demand, or
changes in both.
• Elasticity of demand is also important when
predicting prices.
Inelastic Demand v. Elastic Demand
Figure 6.3a
Figure 6.3b
Economic goals
• The seven broad economic and social goals we
examined in Chapter #2 often conflict with each
other. This is why the government has been
playing a larger role in the economy than someone
like Adam Smith would have liked.
• One way the government tries to achieve equity
and security is by setting prices at “socially
desirable” levels.
• What does “socially desirable” mean?
Distorting Market Outcomes
• Price ceiling – a maximum legal price that can be
charged for a product.
• Price ceilings can be found in places like NYC
who put rent controls on housing in an attempt to
make it affordable.
• Price floor – the lowest legal price that can be
paid for a good or service.
• Minimum wage – the lowest legal wage that can
be paid to most workers is an example of a price
floor.
Rent control
• For example, without rent controls the equilibrium
price for housing in NYC might be $900 per
month. At this price, suppliers would be willing to
provide 2 million units of housing.
• REMINDERS:
Law of Demand – as price drops quantity demanded increases.
Law of Supply – as price drops quantity supplied decreases.
• If NYC were to put a price ceiling of $600 per
month on rent, what would happen to quantity
demanded? What about quantity supplied?
• What is it called when quantity demanded exceeds
quantity supplied?
Rent control in NYC
Federal Minimum Wage
Economics 4/28/11
http://mrmilewski.com
• OBJECTIVE: Examine the price system at work.
• I. Administrative Stuff
-Attendance & Current Grades
• II. Econ Vocabulary
-worksheet on terms from Ch#6
• III. Short Film on Economic Concepts
-questions on Econ Film
• Parent Teacher Conference 12:30-3PM
Economics 4/29/11
http://mrmilewski.com
• OBJECTIVE: Examine the success of Wal-mart & its
effect on the United States.
• I. Administrative Stuff
-Attendance
• II. Quiz#12
• III. Frontline:“Is Wal-mart Good for America?”
-questions on film about Wal-mart
• NOTICE: Chapter#6 Test Monday!