HI5003 Economics for Business -Tutorial Questions

Assessment Question Week 2 and 3
Demand and Supply, and Elasticity

Question 1:  (7 Marks)

Due to inflation in Australia in December 2019, the price for petrol increased from AUD 1.35 to AUD 1.45. This caused petrol consumption to decrease from 2500 litres to 2450 litres at a 7-Eleven Petrol Station in Sydney.
Also, when the price for Hyundai 7.5kW Inverter Split System Air Conditioner (Reverse Cycle) increased from AUD 950.00 to AUD 990.00; demand for these air conditioners fell from 2500 units to 2000 units.
Following this condition, answer the questions below.
i. Using the mid-point formula calculate the price elasticity of demand for petrol and Hyundai 7.5kW Inverter Split System Air Conditioner (Reverse Cycle). (2 Marks)
ii. Is the price elasticity of demand: elastic, unit elastic or inelastic for each commodity (petrol and Hyundai 7.5kW Inverter Split System Air Conditioner (Reverse Cycle)? (2 Marks)
iii. Suppose the government decides to increase tax for petrol and Hyundai 7.5kW Inverter Split System Air Conditioner (Reverse Cycle). Use two diagrams to explain the incidence of the tax increase for each commodity. (3 Marks)