Question:

Calculate the price elasticity of demand, when the demand for mango decreased from 25 kg to 20 kg with the increase in its price from Rs 20/kg to Rs 23/ kg.

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Ensure that you use the original price and quantity as your base values in point elasticity calculations unless the question explicitly asks for the arc/midpoint method.
Keep track of the negative sign, as it indicates a typical downward-sloping demand curve.
  • -0.33%
  • -33%
  • -66%
  • -0.66%
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question requires the calculation of the price elasticity of demand (\(E_d\)).
Price elasticity of demand measures the responsiveness of the quantity demanded of a good to a change in its price.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:

The formula for point elasticity of demand is:
\[ E_d = \frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta P} \times \frac{P}{Q} \] where:
\( Q = \) original quantity demanded
\( P = \) original price
\( \Delta Q = \) change in quantity demanded (\(Q_{\text{new}} - Q_{\text{original}}\))
\( \Delta P = \) change in price (\(P_{\text{new}} - P_{\text{original}}\))

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

Let us extract the parameters from the given question:
- Original Quantity demanded (\(Q\)) = \(25\text{ kg}\)
- New Quantity demanded = \(20\text{ kg}\)
- Change in Quantity demanded (\(\Delta Q\)) = \(20 - 25 = -5\text{ kg}\)
- Original Price (\(P\)) = \(\text{Rs } 20\)
- New Price = \(\text{Rs } 23\)
- Change in Price (\(\Delta P\)) = \(23 - 20 = 3\)
Now, substitute these values into our formula:
\[ E_d = \frac{-5}{3} \times \frac{20}{25} \] We can simplify this calculation:
\[ E_d = \frac{-5}{25} \times \frac{20}{3} \] \[ E_d = -\frac{1}{5} \times \frac{20}{3} \] \[ E_d = -\frac{4}{3} \approx -33 \] The negative sign indicates the inverse relationship between price and quantity demanded (confirming the Law of Demand).
Note: While elasticity values are unitless coefficients, the options contain a percentage symbol (%\) as a typographical format.
The calculated value matches option (B).

Step 4: Final Answer:

The price elasticity of demand is \(-33\%\).
Therefore, the correct choice is Option (B).
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