Answer: 1. a. -1.8
Explanation:
1. Price Elasticity of Demand checks the effect that a price change has on the demand for the good.
It is calculated by;
= ((New Quantity - Old Quantity) / (New Price - Old Price) ) * Old Price / Old Quantity
= ( (4,000 - 5,000) / (9.5 - 8.5 )) * 8.5/5,000
= -1,000/1 * 8.5/5,000
= -1.70
2. Initial Markup
Marginal cost was $5 and he was selling at $8.50 so his initial Markup was;
= (8.5 - 5) / 5
= 70%
Desired Markup is the new price over the marginal cost.
= (9.5 - 5) / 5
= 90%
Actual Margin
= 5,000 * $3.5 (profit)
= $17,500
Desired Margin
= 4,000 * $4.5
= $18,000
Actual Margin was LESS than Desired Margin so raising the price was PROFITABLE