When considering a competitive market for apartments in a city. What would be the effect on the equilibrium price and output after the following changes (other things being held constant):?

a) A rise in the income of consumers.
b) A new construction technique allowing apartments to be built at half the cost.

1 Answer
Sep 21, 2016

Refer Explanation Section

Explanation:

The market is competitive.
Other things remain unchanged.

a) A rise in the income of consumers.

Refer the graph

To begin with the demand for and supply of houses determine the equilibrium price and number of houses.DD is the demand curve. SS is the supply curve. They become equal at point E_1. E_1 is the equilibrium point. M_1 number of houses are supplied and demanded at P_1 Price.

After an increase in the income of the consumers, The demand curve is shifted to right. The new demand curve is D_1 D_1. It cuts the supply curve SS at point E_2

The new equilibrium Price is P_2. This is higher than the original price.

The new equilibrium number of houses is M_2. This is greater than the original number of houses.

The Net result is a rise in price and number of houses.

b) A new construction technique allowing apartments to be built at half the cost.

enter image source here

The initial equilibrium is at point E_1. Equilibrium price is P_2. Equilibrium number of houses is M_1

With an improvement in technology, the supply curve will be shifted to right. The New supply curve is S_1S_1.

The new equilibrium point is E_2

The new equilibrium price is P_1. This is less than the original price.

The new equilibrium number of houses is M_2. This is greater than M_1.

The net result is a decrease in price and an increase in number of houses.