Elasticities of Demand (DP IB Economics: HL)

Text B, Paragraph 2

The pharmaceutical industry in Germany often deals with products that are price inelastic because consumers continue to buy necessary medications even when prices rise.

In Japan, the price of train tickets increased from ¥400 to ¥500, leading to a reduction in the number of daily passengers from 10,000 to 9,000.

Calculate the price elasticity of demand (PED) for train tickets in Japan using the data provided in (Text C, Paragraph 3).

Text A, Paragraph 3

A luxury car manufacturer in Italy has cut prices to boost sales, taking advantage of the elastic price elasticity of demand for their vehicles.

Extract A, paragraph 3

Egypt is currently experiencing one of its worst economic crises. Consumer prices have been steadily rising, severely burdening Egyptian households. The information in Table 1 below refers to Egypt’s economy. 

Table 1 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a major catalyst for Egypt's economic crisis. 

Egypt depends on Russia and Ukraine for 80% of its wheat imports, and disruptions in the global grain market led to wheat prices surging. Additionally, the energy crisis caused by the invasion severely impacted Egypt, as the country imports around 100 million barrels of crude oil annually, leading to increased production and manufacturing costs.

The exchange rate between the Egyptian pound and the US dollar is given by:  1 USD = 48.35 EGP

In 2022, the price of wheat per tonne was equal to 10,500 Egyptian pounds. By the end of 2023, the price of wheat increased by 31% and the volume of imported wheat decreased from 6.8 million tonnes in 2022 to 5.3 million tonnes in 2023.

Extract A, paragraph 1

Egypt is currently experiencing one of its worst economic crises. Consumer prices have been steadily rising, severely burdening Egyptian households. The information in Table 1 below refers to Egypt’s economy. 

Table 1 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a major catalyst for Egypt's economic crisis. 

Egypt depends on Russia and Ukraine for 80% of its wheat imports, and disruptions in the global grain market led to wheat prices surging. Additionally, the energy crisis caused by the invasion severely impacted Egypt, as the country imports around 100 million barrels of crude oil annually, leading to increased production and manufacturing costs.

The exchange rate between the Egyptian pound and the US dollar is given by:  1 USD = 48.35 EGP.

In 2022, the price of wheat per tonne was equal to 10,500 Egyptian pounds. By the end of 2023, the price of wheat increased by 31% and the volume of imported wheat decreased from 6.8 million tonnes in 2022 to 5.3 million tonnes in 2023.

Text A, Paragraph 1

In South Africa, demand for luxury holidays has increased significantly as household incomes have risen, demonstrating a high income elasticity of demand.

Text D, Paragraph 2

In Singapore, a family’s income rose from $4,000 to $5,000 per month, and their consumption of high-end electronics increased from 4 to 6 units per month.

Text C, Paragraph 2

In Malaysia, rising incomes have led to a change in demand for low-cost clothing, a typical inferior good.