Question

Assume that the market for Good X is defined as follows: QD = 64 - 16P and QS = 16P - 8. If the government imposes a price floor in this market at $3.00, what will be the total loss in welfare to the economy?

Answer 1

The total loss in welfare to the economy will be -$32.

Step-by-step explanation:

By intersecting the supply function QS to the demand function QD, we will find the equilibrium price:

QD = QS

16P - 8 = 64 - 16P

16P + 16P = 64 +8 =

32P = 72

P = $2.00

Replacing the equilibrium price either in QS or QD, we foind the equilibrium quantity:

QS = 64 - 16*2 = 64 -32

QS = 32

In this case the total revenues at the equilibrium price RE will be:

RE = 32 * $2 = $64

On the other hand if the government imposes a price floor at $3.00, then the new total revenues RN will be:

RN = 32 * $3 = $96

Therefore the total losses is find by subtracting the revenue at the goverment price floor RN to the revenue at the equilibrium price RE:

LT = RE - RN

LT = $64 - $96 = -$32