{"id":965,"date":"2017-08-04T20:51:19","date_gmt":"2017-08-04T20:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/chapter\/3-1-demand-supply-and-equilibrium-in-markets-for-goods-and-services\/"},"modified":"2023-10-27T02:21:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-27T02:21:20","slug":"3-1-demand-supply-and-equilibrium-in-markets-for-goods-and-services","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/chapter\/3-1-demand-supply-and-equilibrium-in-markets-for-goods-and-services\/","title":{"raw":"Chapter 6 - Demand, Supply, and Equilibrium in Markets for Goods and Services","rendered":"Chapter 6 &#8211; Demand, Supply, and Equilibrium in Markets for Goods and Services"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-highlight\">\r\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\nBy the end of this section, you will be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Explain demand, quantity demanded, and the law of demand<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Identify a demand curve and a supply curve<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Explain supply, quantity supply, and the law of supply<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Explain equilibrium, equilibrium price, and equilibrium quantity<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm43689872\">First let\u2019s first focus on what economists mean by demand, what they mean by supply, and then how demand and supply interact in a market.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<section id=\"fs-idp164241728\">\r\n<h1>Demand for Goods and Services<\/h1>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp145515472\">Economists use the term <strong>demand<\/strong> to refer to the amount of some good or service consumers are willing and able to purchase at each price. Demand is based on needs and wants\u2014a consumer may be able to differentiate between a need and a want, but from an economist\u2019s perspective they are the same thing. Demand is also based on ability to pay. If you cannot pay for it, you have no effective demand.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp162371840\">What a buyer pays for a unit of the specific good or service is called <strong>price<\/strong>. The total number of units purchased at that price is called the <strong>quantity demanded<\/strong>. A rise in price of a good or service almost always decreases the quantity demanded of that good or service. Conversely, a fall in price will increase the quantity demanded. When the price of a gallon of gasoline goes up, for example, people look for ways to reduce their consumption by combining several errands, commuting by carpool or mass transit, or taking weekend or vacation trips closer to home. Economists call this inverse relationship between price and quantity demanded the <strong>law of demand<\/strong>. The law of demand assumes that all other variables that affect demand (to be explained in the next module) are held constant.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp125928160\">An example from the market for gasoline can be shown in the form of a table or a graph. A table that shows the quantity demanded at each price, such as <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#Table_03_01\">Table 1<\/a>, is called a <strong>demand schedule<\/strong>. Price in this case is measured in dollars per gallon of gasoline. The quantity demanded is measured in millions of gallons over some time period (for example, per day or per year) and over some geographic area (like a state or a country). A <strong>demand curve<\/strong> shows the relationship between price and quantity demanded on a graph like <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_001\">Figure 1<\/a>, with quantity on the horizontal axis and the price per gallon on the vertical axis. (Note that this is an exception to the normal rule in mathematics that the independent variable (x) goes on the horizontal axis and the dependent variable (y) goes on the vertical. Economics is not math.)<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp72633840\">The demand schedule shown by <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#Table_03_01\">Table 1<\/a> and the demand curve shown by the graph in <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_001\">Figure 1<\/a> are two ways of describing the same relationship between price and quantity demanded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"CNX_Econ_C03_001\">\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"585\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2017\/08\/CNX_Econ_C03_001.jpg\" alt=\"The graph shows a downward-sloping demand curve that represents the law of demand.\" width=\"585\" height=\"313\" \/> <strong>Figure 1.<\/strong> A Demand Curve for Gasoline. The demand schedule shows that as price rises, quantity demanded decreases, and vice versa. These points are then graphed, and the line connecting them is the demand curve (D). The downward slope of the demand curve again illustrates the law of demand\u2014the inverse relationship between prices and quantity demanded.[\/caption]<\/figure>\r\n<table id=\"Table_03_01\" summary=\"The table shows the price and quantity demanded of gasoline. The left column shows the price per gallon and the right column shows the quantity demanded in millions. At $1.00 per gallon, the quantity demanded is 800 million gallons. At $1.20, the demand is 700 million gallons. At $1.40, the demand is 600 million. At $1.60, the demand is 550 million gallons. At $1.80, the demand is 500 million gallons. At $2.00, the demand is 460 million gallons. Finally, at $2.20, the demand is 420 million gallons.\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Price (per gallon)<\/th>\r\n<th>Quantity Demanded (millions of gallons)<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.00<\/td>\r\n<td>800<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.20<\/td>\r\n<td>700<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.40<\/td>\r\n<td>600<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.60<\/td>\r\n<td>550<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.80<\/td>\r\n<td>500<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$2.00<\/td>\r\n<td>460<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$2.20<\/td>\r\n<td>420<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Table 1.<\/strong> Price and Quantity Demanded of Gasoline<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp92211968\">Demand curves will appear somewhat different for each product. They may appear relatively steep or flat, or they may be straight or curved. Nearly all demand curves share the fundamental similarity that they slope down from left to right. So demand curves embody the law of demand: As the price increases, the quantity demanded decreases, and conversely, as the price decreases, the quantity demanded increases.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm13923584\">Confused about these different types of demand? Read the next Clear It Up feature.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"fs-idm9151600\" class=\"note economics clearup textbox shaded\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title\">Is demand the same as quantity demanded?<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp18974320\">In economic terminology, demand is not the same as quantity demanded. When economists talk about demand, they mean the relationship between a range of prices and the quantities demanded at those prices, as illustrated by a demand curve or a demand schedule. When economists talk about quantity demanded, they mean only a certain point on the demand curve, or one quantity on the demand schedule. In short, demand refers to the curve and quantity demanded refers to the (specific) point on the curve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><section id=\"fs-idm37573200\">\r\n<h1>Supply of Goods and Services<\/h1>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp102318432\">When economists talk about <strong>supply<\/strong>, they mean the amount of some good or service a producer is willing to supply at each price. Price is what the producer receives for selling one unit of a <strong class=\"no-emphasis\">good<\/strong> or <strong class=\"no-emphasis\">service<\/strong>. A rise in price almost always leads to an increase in the <strong>quantity supplied<\/strong> of that good or service, while a fall in price will decrease the quantity supplied. When the price of gasoline rises, for example, it encourages profit-seeking firms to take several actions: expand exploration for oil reserves; drill for more oil; invest in more pipelines and oil tankers to bring the oil to plants where it can be refined into gasoline; build new oil refineries; purchase additional pipelines and trucks to ship the gasoline to gas stations; and open more gas stations or keep existing gas stations open longer hours. Economists call this positive relationship between price and quantity supplied\u2014that a higher price leads to a higher quantity supplied and a lower price leads to a lower quantity supplied\u2014the <strong>law of supply<\/strong>. The law of supply assumes that all other variables that affect supply (to be explained in the next module) are held constant.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp26677568\">Still unsure about the different types of supply? See the following Clear It Up feature.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"fs-idp68971696\" class=\"note economics clearup textbox shaded\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title\">Is supply the same as quantity supplied?<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp40820560\">In economic terminology, supply is not the same as quantity supplied. When economists refer to supply, they mean the relationship between a range of prices and the quantities supplied at those prices, a relationship that can be illustrated with a supply curve or a supply schedule. When economists refer to quantity supplied, they mean only a certain point on the supply curve, or one quantity on the supply schedule. In short, supply refers to the curve and quantity supplied refers to the (specific) point on the curve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm47957216\"><a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_002\">Figure 2<\/a> illustrates the law of supply, again using the market for gasoline as an example. Like demand, supply can be illustrated using a table or a graph. A <strong>supply schedule<\/strong> is a table, like <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#Table_03_02\">Table 2<\/a>, that shows the quantity supplied at a range of different prices. Again, price is measured in dollars per gallon of gasoline and quantity supplied is measured in millions of gallons. A <strong>supply curve<\/strong> is a graphic illustration of the relationship between price, shown on the vertical axis, and quantity, shown on the horizontal axis. The supply schedule and the supply curve are just two different ways of showing the same information. Notice that the horizontal and vertical axes on the graph for the supply curve are the same as for the demand curve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"CNX_Econ_C03_002\">\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"585\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2023\/10\/CNX_Econ_C03_002.jpg\" alt=\"The graph shows an upward-sloping supply curve that represents the law of supply.\" width=\"585\" height=\"296\" \/> <strong>Figure 2.<\/strong> A Supply Curve for Gasoline. The supply schedule is the table that shows quantity supplied of gasoline at each price. As price rises, quantity supplied also increases, and vice versa. The supply curve (S) is created by graphing the points from the supply schedule and then connecting them. The upward slope of the supply curve illustrates the law of supply\u2014that a higher price leads to a higher quantity supplied, and vice versa.[\/caption]<\/figure>\r\n<table id=\"Table_03_02\" summary=\"The table shows shows the price per gallon of gasoline and the quantity supplied in millions of gallons. When the price per gallon is $1.00, the quantity supplied is 500 million gallons. When the price is $1.20, the quantity supplied is 550 million gallons. When the price is $1.40, the quantity supplied is 600 million gallons. When the price is $1.60, the quantity supplied is 640 million gallons. At $1.80, the quantity supplied is 680 million gallons. At $2.00, the quantity supplied is 700 million gallons. Finally, at $2.20, the quantity supplied is 720 million.\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Price (per gallon)<\/th>\r\n<th>Quantity Supplied (millions of gallons)<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.00<\/td>\r\n<td>500<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.20<\/td>\r\n<td>550<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.40<\/td>\r\n<td>600<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.60<\/td>\r\n<td>640<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.80<\/td>\r\n<td>680<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$2.00<\/td>\r\n<td>700<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$2.20<\/td>\r\n<td>720<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Table 2.<\/strong> Price and Supply of Gasoline<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp19386416\">The shape of supply curves will vary somewhat according to the product: steeper, flatter, straighter, or curved. Nearly all supply curves, however, share a basic similarity: they slope up from left to right and illustrate the law of supply: as the price rises, say, from $1.00 per gallon to $2.20 per gallon, the quantity supplied increases from 500 gallons to 720 gallons. Conversely, as the price falls, the quantity supplied decreases.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/section><section id=\"fs-idm393056\">\r\n<h1>Equilibrium\u2014Where Demand and Supply Intersect<\/h1>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm110531152\">Because the graphs for demand and supply curves both have price on the vertical axis and quantity on the horizontal axis, the demand curve and supply curve for a particular good or service can appear on the same graph. Together, demand and supply determine the price and the quantity that will be bought and sold in a market.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm140866912\"><a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a> illustrates the interaction of demand and supply in the market for gasoline. The demand curve (D) is identical to <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_001\">Figure 1<\/a>. The supply curve (S) is identical to <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_002\">Figure 2<\/a>. <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#Table_03_03\">Table 3<\/a> contains the same information in tabular form.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"CNX_Econ_C03_003\">\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"404\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2023\/10\/CNX_Econ_C03_003.jpg\" alt=\"The graph shows the demand and supply for gasoline where the two curves intersect at the point of equilibrium.\" width=\"404\" height=\"284\" \/> <strong>Figure 3.<\/strong> Demand and Supply for Gasoline. The demand curve (D) and the supply curve (S) intersect at the equilibrium point E, with a price of $1.40 and a quantity of 600. The equilibrium is the only price where quantity demanded is equal to quantity supplied. At a price above equilibrium like $1.80, quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded, so there is excess supply. At a price below equilibrium such as $1.20, quantity demanded exceeds quantity supplied, so there is excess demand.[\/caption]<\/figure>\r\n<table id=\"Table_03_03\" summary=\"The table shows shows the price, the quantity demanded, and the quantity supplied of gasoline. It combines the information from Table 1.1 and Table 1.2. When the price per gallon is $1.00, the quantity demanded is 800 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 500 million. When the price is $1.20, the quantity demanded is 700 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 550 million gallons. At $1.40, the demand is 600 million and the quantity supplied is 600 million gallons. At $1.60, the demand is 550 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 640 million gallons. At $1.80, the demand is 500 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 680 million gallons. At $2.00, the demand is 460 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 700 million gallons. Finally, at $2.20, the demand is 420 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 720 million.\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Price (per gallon)<\/th>\r\n<th>Quantity demanded (millions of gallons)<\/th>\r\n<th>Quantity supplied (millions of gallons)<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.00<\/td>\r\n<td>800<\/td>\r\n<td>500<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.20<\/td>\r\n<td>700<\/td>\r\n<td>550<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>$1.40<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>600<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>600<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.60<\/td>\r\n<td>550<\/td>\r\n<td>640<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$1.80<\/td>\r\n<td>500<\/td>\r\n<td>680<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$2.00<\/td>\r\n<td>460<\/td>\r\n<td>700<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>$2.20<\/td>\r\n<td>420<\/td>\r\n<td>720<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"3\"><strong>Table 3.<\/strong> Price, Quantity Demanded, and Quantity Supplied<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp5911872\">Remember this: When two lines on a diagram cross, this intersection usually means something. The point where the supply curve (S) and the demand curve (D) cross, designated by point E in <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a>, is called the <strong>equilibrium<\/strong>. The <strong>equilibrium price<\/strong> is the only price where the plans of consumers and the plans of producers agree\u2014that is, where the amount of the product consumers want to buy (quantity demanded) is equal to the amount producers want to sell (quantity supplied). This common quantity is called the <strong>equilibrium quantity<\/strong>. At any other price, the quantity demanded does not equal the quantity supplied, so the market is not in equilibrium at that price.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp49221616\">In <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a>, the equilibrium price is $1.40 per gallon of gasoline and the equilibrium quantity is 600 million gallons. If you had only the demand and supply schedules, and not the graph, you could find the equilibrium by looking for the price level on the tables where the quantity demanded and the quantity supplied are equal.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm121129440\">The word \u201cequilibrium\u201d means \u201cbalance.\u201d If a market is at its equilibrium price and quantity, then it has no reason to move away from that point. However, if a market is not at equilibrium, then economic pressures arise to move the market toward the equilibrium price and the equilibrium quantity.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm170650816\">Imagine, for example, that the price of a gallon of gasoline was above the equilibrium price\u2014that is, instead of $1.40 per gallon, the price is $1.80 per gallon. This above-equilibrium price is illustrated by the dashed horizontal line at the price of $1.80 in <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a>. At this higher price, the quantity demanded drops from 600 to 500. This decline in quantity reflects how consumers react to the higher price by finding ways to use less gasoline.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp418176\">Moreover, at this higher price of $1.80, the quantity of gasoline supplied rises from the 600 to 680, as the higher price makes it more profitable for gasoline producers to expand their output. Now, consider how quantity demanded and quantity supplied are related at this above-equilibrium price. Quantity demanded has fallen to 500 gallons, while quantity supplied has risen to 680 gallons. In fact, at any above-equilibrium price, the quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded. We call this an <strong>excess supply<\/strong> or a <strong>surplus<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm95010144\">With a surplus, gasoline accumulates at gas stations, in tanker trucks, in pipelines, and at oil refineries. This accumulation puts pressure on gasoline sellers. If a surplus remains unsold, those firms involved in making and selling gasoline are not receiving enough cash to pay their workers and to cover their expenses. In this situation, some producers and sellers will want to cut prices, because it is better to sell at a lower price than not to sell at all. Once some sellers start cutting prices, others will follow to avoid losing sales. These price reductions in turn will stimulate a higher quantity demanded. So, if the price is above the equilibrium level, incentives built into the structure of demand and supply will create pressures for the price to fall toward the equilibrium.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm100059504\">Now suppose that the price is below its equilibrium level at $1.20 per gallon, as the dashed horizontal line at this price in <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a> shows. At this lower price, the quantity demanded increases from 600 to 700 as drivers take longer trips, spend more minutes warming up the car in the driveway in wintertime, stop sharing rides to work, and buy larger cars that get fewer miles to the gallon. However, the below-equilibrium price reduces gasoline producers\u2019 incentives to produce and sell gasoline, and the quantity supplied falls from 600 to 550.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm91120096\">When the price is below equilibrium, there is <strong>excess demand<\/strong>, or a <strong>shortage<\/strong>\u2014that is, at the given price the quantity demanded, which has been stimulated by the lower price, now exceeds the quantity supplied, which had been depressed by the lower price. In this situation, eager gasoline buyers mob the gas stations, only to find many stations running short of fuel. Oil companies and gas stations recognize that they have an opportunity to make higher profits by selling what gasoline they have at a higher price. As a result, the price rises toward the equilibrium level. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/principlesofeconomics\/chapter\/3-5-demand-supply-and-efficiency\/\">Demand, Supply, and Efficiency<\/a> for more discussion on the importance of the demand and supply model.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/section><section id=\"fs-idm19184208\" class=\"summary\">\r\n<h1>Key Concepts and Summary<\/h1>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp57667456\">A demand schedule is a table that shows the quantity demanded at different prices in the market. A demand curve shows the relationship between quantity demanded and price in a given market on a graph. The law of demand states that a higher price typically leads to a lower quantity demanded.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm94846624\">A supply schedule is a table that shows the quantity supplied at different prices in the market. A supply curve shows the relationship between quantity supplied and price on a graph. The law of supply says that a higher price typically leads to a higher quantity supplied.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm70608144\">The equilibrium price and equilibrium quantity occur where the supply and demand curves cross. The equilibrium occurs where the quantity demanded is equal to the quantity supplied. If the price is below the equilibrium level, then the quantity demanded will exceed the quantity supplied. Excess demand or a shortage will exist. If the price is above the equilibrium level, then the quantity supplied will exceed the quantity demanded. Excess supply or a surplus will exist. In either case, economic pressures will push the price toward the equilibrium level.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/section><section id=\"fs-idm2346032\" class=\"self-check-questions\">\r\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\r\n<h3>Self-Check Questions<\/h3>\r\n<div id=\"fs-idp70610304\" class=\"exercise\">\r\n<div id=\"fs-idm23751888\" class=\"problem\">\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp33598752\">Review <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a>. Suppose the price of gasoline is $1.60 per gallon. Is the quantity demanded higher or lower than at the equilibrium price of $1.40 per gallon? And what about the quantity supplied? Is there a shortage or a surplus in the market? If so, of how much?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><section id=\"fs-idp101789840\" class=\"references\">\r\n<h1>References<\/h1>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idm77580496\">Costanza, Robert, and Lisa Wainger. \u201cNo Accounting For Nature: How Conventional Economics Distorts the Value of Things.\u201d <em>The Washington Post<\/em>. September 2, 1990.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"eip-17\">European Commission: Agriculture and Rural Development. 2013. \"Overview of the CAP Reform: 2014-2024.\" Accessed April 13, 205. http:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/agriculture\/cap-post-2013\/.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp69920992\">Radford, R. A. \u201cThe Economic Organisation of a P.O.W. Camp.\u201d <em>Economica<\/em>. no. 48 (1945): 189-201. http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/2550133.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/section>\r\n<div>\r\n<h2>Glossary<\/h2>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm136739616\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>demand curve<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idp11870368\">a graphic representation of the relationship between price and quantity demanded of a certain good or service, with quantity on the horizontal axis and the price on the vertical axis<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm62641344\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>demand schedule<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm70030576\">a table that shows a range of prices for a certain good or service and the quantity demanded at each price<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm116591312\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>demand<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm86665632\">the relationship between price and the quantity demanded of a certain good or service<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm67664064\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>equilibrium price<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm140191664\">the price where quantity demanded is equal to quantity supplied<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm145746864\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>equilibrium quantity<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm37841728\">the quantity at which quantity demanded and quantity supplied are equal for a certain price level<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm126430032\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>equilibrium<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm47454048\">the situation where quantity demanded is equal to the quantity supplied; the combination of price and quantity where there is no economic pressure from surpluses or shortages that would cause price or quantity to change<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm140701456\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>excess demand<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm139950960\">at the existing price, the quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied; also called a shortage<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm97055824\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>excess supply<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idp7632352\">at the existing price, quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded; also called a surplus<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm159562656\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>law of demand<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm126343472\">the common relationship that a higher price leads to a lower quantity demanded of a certain good or service and a lower price leads to a higher quantity demanded, while all other variables are held constant<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm163222336\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>law of supply<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm109427728\">the common relationship that a higher price leads to a greater quantity supplied and a lower price leads to a lower quantity supplied, while all other variables are held constant<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm145148512\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>price<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm152526848\">what a buyer pays for a unit of the specific good or service<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm51999296\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>quantity demanded<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm128540048\">the total number of units of a good or service consumers are willing to purchase at a given price<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm105575888\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>quantity supplied<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm90530800\">the total number of units of a good or service producers are willing to sell at a given price<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm136216800\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>shortage<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm124145792\">at the existing price, the quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied; also called excess demand<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm136032336\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>supply curve<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm106871216\">a line that shows the relationship between price and quantity supplied on a graph, with quantity supplied on the horizontal axis and price on the vertical axis<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm99365136\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>supply schedule<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm186058480\">a table that shows a range of prices for a good or service and the quantity supplied at each price<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm175686800\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>supply<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idm67621776\">the relationship between price and the quantity supplied of a certain good or service<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"fs-idm167976848\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>surplus<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-idp7799264\">at the existing price, quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded; also called excess supply<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\r\n<h3>Solutions<\/h3>\r\n<strong>Answers to Self-Check Questions<\/strong>\r\n<p id=\"fs-idp57350896\">Since $1.60 per gallon is above the equilibrium price, the quantity demanded would be lower at 550 gallons and the quantity supplied would be higher at 640 gallons. (These results are due to the laws of demand and supply, respectively.) The outcome of lower Qd and higher Qs would be a surplus in the gasoline market of 640 \u2013 550 = 90 gallons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-highlight\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<p>By the end of this section, you will be able to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Explain demand, quantity demanded, and the law of demand<\/li>\n<li>Identify a demand curve and a supply curve<\/li>\n<li>Explain supply, quantity supply, and the law of supply<\/li>\n<li>Explain equilibrium, equilibrium price, and equilibrium quantity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"fs-idm43689872\">First let\u2019s first focus on what economists mean by demand, what they mean by supply, and then how demand and supply interact in a market.<\/p>\n<section id=\"fs-idp164241728\">\n<h1>Demand for Goods and Services<\/h1>\n<p id=\"fs-idp145515472\">Economists use the term <strong>demand<\/strong> to refer to the amount of some good or service consumers are willing and able to purchase at each price. Demand is based on needs and wants\u2014a consumer may be able to differentiate between a need and a want, but from an economist\u2019s perspective they are the same thing. Demand is also based on ability to pay. If you cannot pay for it, you have no effective demand.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idp162371840\">What a buyer pays for a unit of the specific good or service is called <strong>price<\/strong>. The total number of units purchased at that price is called the <strong>quantity demanded<\/strong>. A rise in price of a good or service almost always decreases the quantity demanded of that good or service. Conversely, a fall in price will increase the quantity demanded. When the price of a gallon of gasoline goes up, for example, people look for ways to reduce their consumption by combining several errands, commuting by carpool or mass transit, or taking weekend or vacation trips closer to home. Economists call this inverse relationship between price and quantity demanded the <strong>law of demand<\/strong>. The law of demand assumes that all other variables that affect demand (to be explained in the next module) are held constant.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idp125928160\">An example from the market for gasoline can be shown in the form of a table or a graph. A table that shows the quantity demanded at each price, such as <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#Table_03_01\">Table 1<\/a>, is called a <strong>demand schedule<\/strong>. Price in this case is measured in dollars per gallon of gasoline. The quantity demanded is measured in millions of gallons over some time period (for example, per day or per year) and over some geographic area (like a state or a country). A <strong>demand curve<\/strong> shows the relationship between price and quantity demanded on a graph like <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_001\">Figure 1<\/a>, with quantity on the horizontal axis and the price per gallon on the vertical axis. (Note that this is an exception to the normal rule in mathematics that the independent variable (x) goes on the horizontal axis and the dependent variable (y) goes on the vertical. Economics is not math.)<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idp72633840\">The demand schedule shown by <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#Table_03_01\">Table 1<\/a> and the demand curve shown by the graph in <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_001\">Figure 1<\/a> are two ways of describing the same relationship between price and quantity demanded.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"CNX_Econ_C03_001\">\n<figure style=\"width: 585px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2017\/08\/CNX_Econ_C03_001.jpg\" alt=\"The graph shows a downward-sloping demand curve that represents the law of demand.\" width=\"585\" height=\"313\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 1.<\/strong> A Demand Curve for Gasoline. The demand schedule shows that as price rises, quantity demanded decreases, and vice versa. These points are then graphed, and the line connecting them is the demand curve (D). The downward slope of the demand curve again illustrates the law of demand\u2014the inverse relationship between prices and quantity demanded.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<table id=\"Table_03_01\" summary=\"The table shows the price and quantity demanded of gasoline. The left column shows the price per gallon and the right column shows the quantity demanded in millions. At $1.00 per gallon, the quantity demanded is 800 million gallons. At $1.20, the demand is 700 million gallons. At $1.40, the demand is 600 million. At $1.60, the demand is 550 million gallons. At $1.80, the demand is 500 million gallons. At $2.00, the demand is 460 million gallons. Finally, at $2.20, the demand is 420 million gallons.\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Price (per gallon)<\/th>\n<th>Quantity Demanded (millions of gallons)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.00<\/td>\n<td>800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.20<\/td>\n<td>700<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.40<\/td>\n<td>600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.60<\/td>\n<td>550<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.80<\/td>\n<td>500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$2.00<\/td>\n<td>460<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$2.20<\/td>\n<td>420<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Table 1.<\/strong> Price and Quantity Demanded of Gasoline<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p id=\"fs-idp92211968\">Demand curves will appear somewhat different for each product. They may appear relatively steep or flat, or they may be straight or curved. Nearly all demand curves share the fundamental similarity that they slope down from left to right. So demand curves embody the law of demand: As the price increases, the quantity demanded decreases, and conversely, as the price decreases, the quantity demanded increases.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idm13923584\">Confused about these different types of demand? Read the next Clear It Up feature.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-idm9151600\" class=\"note economics clearup textbox shaded\">\n<h3 class=\"title\">Is demand the same as quantity demanded?<\/h3>\n<p id=\"fs-idp18974320\">In economic terminology, demand is not the same as quantity demanded. When economists talk about demand, they mean the relationship between a range of prices and the quantities demanded at those prices, as illustrated by a demand curve or a demand schedule. When economists talk about quantity demanded, they mean only a certain point on the demand curve, or one quantity on the demand schedule. In short, demand refers to the curve and quantity demanded refers to the (specific) point on the curve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"fs-idm37573200\">\n<h1>Supply of Goods and Services<\/h1>\n<p id=\"fs-idp102318432\">When economists talk about <strong>supply<\/strong>, they mean the amount of some good or service a producer is willing to supply at each price. Price is what the producer receives for selling one unit of a <strong class=\"no-emphasis\">good<\/strong> or <strong class=\"no-emphasis\">service<\/strong>. A rise in price almost always leads to an increase in the <strong>quantity supplied<\/strong> of that good or service, while a fall in price will decrease the quantity supplied. When the price of gasoline rises, for example, it encourages profit-seeking firms to take several actions: expand exploration for oil reserves; drill for more oil; invest in more pipelines and oil tankers to bring the oil to plants where it can be refined into gasoline; build new oil refineries; purchase additional pipelines and trucks to ship the gasoline to gas stations; and open more gas stations or keep existing gas stations open longer hours. Economists call this positive relationship between price and quantity supplied\u2014that a higher price leads to a higher quantity supplied and a lower price leads to a lower quantity supplied\u2014the <strong>law of supply<\/strong>. The law of supply assumes that all other variables that affect supply (to be explained in the next module) are held constant.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idp26677568\">Still unsure about the different types of supply? See the following Clear It Up feature.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fs-idp68971696\" class=\"note economics clearup textbox shaded\">\n<h3 class=\"title\">Is supply the same as quantity supplied?<\/h3>\n<p id=\"fs-idp40820560\">In economic terminology, supply is not the same as quantity supplied. When economists refer to supply, they mean the relationship between a range of prices and the quantities supplied at those prices, a relationship that can be illustrated with a supply curve or a supply schedule. When economists refer to quantity supplied, they mean only a certain point on the supply curve, or one quantity on the supply schedule. In short, supply refers to the curve and quantity supplied refers to the (specific) point on the curve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"fs-idm47957216\"><a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_002\">Figure 2<\/a> illustrates the law of supply, again using the market for gasoline as an example. Like demand, supply can be illustrated using a table or a graph. A <strong>supply schedule<\/strong> is a table, like <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#Table_03_02\">Table 2<\/a>, that shows the quantity supplied at a range of different prices. Again, price is measured in dollars per gallon of gasoline and quantity supplied is measured in millions of gallons. A <strong>supply curve<\/strong> is a graphic illustration of the relationship between price, shown on the vertical axis, and quantity, shown on the horizontal axis. The supply schedule and the supply curve are just two different ways of showing the same information. Notice that the horizontal and vertical axes on the graph for the supply curve are the same as for the demand curve.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"CNX_Econ_C03_002\">\n<figure style=\"width: 585px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2023\/10\/CNX_Econ_C03_002.jpg\" alt=\"The graph shows an upward-sloping supply curve that represents the law of supply.\" width=\"585\" height=\"296\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 2.<\/strong> A Supply Curve for Gasoline. The supply schedule is the table that shows quantity supplied of gasoline at each price. As price rises, quantity supplied also increases, and vice versa. The supply curve (S) is created by graphing the points from the supply schedule and then connecting them. The upward slope of the supply curve illustrates the law of supply\u2014that a higher price leads to a higher quantity supplied, and vice versa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<table id=\"Table_03_02\" summary=\"The table shows shows the price per gallon of gasoline and the quantity supplied in millions of gallons. When the price per gallon is $1.00, the quantity supplied is 500 million gallons. When the price is $1.20, the quantity supplied is 550 million gallons. When the price is $1.40, the quantity supplied is 600 million gallons. When the price is $1.60, the quantity supplied is 640 million gallons. At $1.80, the quantity supplied is 680 million gallons. At $2.00, the quantity supplied is 700 million gallons. Finally, at $2.20, the quantity supplied is 720 million.\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Price (per gallon)<\/th>\n<th>Quantity Supplied (millions of gallons)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.00<\/td>\n<td>500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.20<\/td>\n<td>550<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.40<\/td>\n<td>600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.60<\/td>\n<td>640<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.80<\/td>\n<td>680<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$2.00<\/td>\n<td>700<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$2.20<\/td>\n<td>720<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Table 2.<\/strong> Price and Supply of Gasoline<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p id=\"fs-idp19386416\">The shape of supply curves will vary somewhat according to the product: steeper, flatter, straighter, or curved. Nearly all supply curves, however, share a basic similarity: they slope up from left to right and illustrate the law of supply: as the price rises, say, from $1.00 per gallon to $2.20 per gallon, the quantity supplied increases from 500 gallons to 720 gallons. Conversely, as the price falls, the quantity supplied decreases.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"fs-idm393056\">\n<h1>Equilibrium\u2014Where Demand and Supply Intersect<\/h1>\n<p id=\"fs-idm110531152\">Because the graphs for demand and supply curves both have price on the vertical axis and quantity on the horizontal axis, the demand curve and supply curve for a particular good or service can appear on the same graph. Together, demand and supply determine the price and the quantity that will be bought and sold in a market.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idm140866912\"><a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a> illustrates the interaction of demand and supply in the market for gasoline. The demand curve (D) is identical to <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_001\">Figure 1<\/a>. The supply curve (S) is identical to <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_002\">Figure 2<\/a>. <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#Table_03_03\">Table 3<\/a> contains the same information in tabular form.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"CNX_Econ_C03_003\">\n<figure style=\"width: 404px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2023\/10\/CNX_Econ_C03_003.jpg\" alt=\"The graph shows the demand and supply for gasoline where the two curves intersect at the point of equilibrium.\" width=\"404\" height=\"284\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 3.<\/strong> Demand and Supply for Gasoline. The demand curve (D) and the supply curve (S) intersect at the equilibrium point E, with a price of $1.40 and a quantity of 600. The equilibrium is the only price where quantity demanded is equal to quantity supplied. At a price above equilibrium like $1.80, quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded, so there is excess supply. At a price below equilibrium such as $1.20, quantity demanded exceeds quantity supplied, so there is excess demand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<table id=\"Table_03_03\" summary=\"The table shows shows the price, the quantity demanded, and the quantity supplied of gasoline. It combines the information from Table 1.1 and Table 1.2. When the price per gallon is $1.00, the quantity demanded is 800 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 500 million. When the price is $1.20, the quantity demanded is 700 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 550 million gallons. At $1.40, the demand is 600 million and the quantity supplied is 600 million gallons. At $1.60, the demand is 550 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 640 million gallons. At $1.80, the demand is 500 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 680 million gallons. At $2.00, the demand is 460 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 700 million gallons. Finally, at $2.20, the demand is 420 million gallons and the quantity supplied is 720 million.\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Price (per gallon)<\/th>\n<th>Quantity demanded (millions of gallons)<\/th>\n<th>Quantity supplied (millions of gallons)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.00<\/td>\n<td>800<\/td>\n<td>500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.20<\/td>\n<td>700<\/td>\n<td>550<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>$1.40<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>600<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>600<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.60<\/td>\n<td>550<\/td>\n<td>640<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$1.80<\/td>\n<td>500<\/td>\n<td>680<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$2.00<\/td>\n<td>460<\/td>\n<td>700<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$2.20<\/td>\n<td>420<\/td>\n<td>720<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"3\"><strong>Table 3.<\/strong> Price, Quantity Demanded, and Quantity Supplied<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p id=\"fs-idp5911872\">Remember this: When two lines on a diagram cross, this intersection usually means something. The point where the supply curve (S) and the demand curve (D) cross, designated by point E in <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a>, is called the <strong>equilibrium<\/strong>. The <strong>equilibrium price<\/strong> is the only price where the plans of consumers and the plans of producers agree\u2014that is, where the amount of the product consumers want to buy (quantity demanded) is equal to the amount producers want to sell (quantity supplied). This common quantity is called the <strong>equilibrium quantity<\/strong>. At any other price, the quantity demanded does not equal the quantity supplied, so the market is not in equilibrium at that price.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idp49221616\">In <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a>, the equilibrium price is $1.40 per gallon of gasoline and the equilibrium quantity is 600 million gallons. If you had only the demand and supply schedules, and not the graph, you could find the equilibrium by looking for the price level on the tables where the quantity demanded and the quantity supplied are equal.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idm121129440\">The word \u201cequilibrium\u201d means \u201cbalance.\u201d If a market is at its equilibrium price and quantity, then it has no reason to move away from that point. However, if a market is not at equilibrium, then economic pressures arise to move the market toward the equilibrium price and the equilibrium quantity.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idm170650816\">Imagine, for example, that the price of a gallon of gasoline was above the equilibrium price\u2014that is, instead of $1.40 per gallon, the price is $1.80 per gallon. This above-equilibrium price is illustrated by the dashed horizontal line at the price of $1.80 in <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a>. At this higher price, the quantity demanded drops from 600 to 500. This decline in quantity reflects how consumers react to the higher price by finding ways to use less gasoline.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idp418176\">Moreover, at this higher price of $1.80, the quantity of gasoline supplied rises from the 600 to 680, as the higher price makes it more profitable for gasoline producers to expand their output. Now, consider how quantity demanded and quantity supplied are related at this above-equilibrium price. Quantity demanded has fallen to 500 gallons, while quantity supplied has risen to 680 gallons. In fact, at any above-equilibrium price, the quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded. We call this an <strong>excess supply<\/strong> or a <strong>surplus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idm95010144\">With a surplus, gasoline accumulates at gas stations, in tanker trucks, in pipelines, and at oil refineries. This accumulation puts pressure on gasoline sellers. If a surplus remains unsold, those firms involved in making and selling gasoline are not receiving enough cash to pay their workers and to cover their expenses. In this situation, some producers and sellers will want to cut prices, because it is better to sell at a lower price than not to sell at all. Once some sellers start cutting prices, others will follow to avoid losing sales. These price reductions in turn will stimulate a higher quantity demanded. So, if the price is above the equilibrium level, incentives built into the structure of demand and supply will create pressures for the price to fall toward the equilibrium.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idm100059504\">Now suppose that the price is below its equilibrium level at $1.20 per gallon, as the dashed horizontal line at this price in <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a> shows. At this lower price, the quantity demanded increases from 600 to 700 as drivers take longer trips, spend more minutes warming up the car in the driveway in wintertime, stop sharing rides to work, and buy larger cars that get fewer miles to the gallon. However, the below-equilibrium price reduces gasoline producers\u2019 incentives to produce and sell gasoline, and the quantity supplied falls from 600 to 550.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idm91120096\">When the price is below equilibrium, there is <strong>excess demand<\/strong>, or a <strong>shortage<\/strong>\u2014that is, at the given price the quantity demanded, which has been stimulated by the lower price, now exceeds the quantity supplied, which had been depressed by the lower price. In this situation, eager gasoline buyers mob the gas stations, only to find many stations running short of fuel. Oil companies and gas stations recognize that they have an opportunity to make higher profits by selling what gasoline they have at a higher price. As a result, the price rises toward the equilibrium level. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/principlesofeconomics\/chapter\/3-5-demand-supply-and-efficiency\/\">Demand, Supply, and Efficiency<\/a> for more discussion on the importance of the demand and supply model.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"fs-idm19184208\" class=\"summary\">\n<h1>Key Concepts and Summary<\/h1>\n<p id=\"fs-idp57667456\">A demand schedule is a table that shows the quantity demanded at different prices in the market. A demand curve shows the relationship between quantity demanded and price in a given market on a graph. The law of demand states that a higher price typically leads to a lower quantity demanded.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idm94846624\">A supply schedule is a table that shows the quantity supplied at different prices in the market. A supply curve shows the relationship between quantity supplied and price on a graph. The law of supply says that a higher price typically leads to a higher quantity supplied.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idm70608144\">The equilibrium price and equilibrium quantity occur where the supply and demand curves cross. The equilibrium occurs where the quantity demanded is equal to the quantity supplied. If the price is below the equilibrium level, then the quantity demanded will exceed the quantity supplied. Excess demand or a shortage will exist. If the price is above the equilibrium level, then the quantity supplied will exceed the quantity demanded. Excess supply or a surplus will exist. In either case, economic pressures will push the price toward the equilibrium level.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"fs-idm2346032\" class=\"self-check-questions\">\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\n<h3>Self-Check Questions<\/h3>\n<div id=\"fs-idp70610304\" class=\"exercise\">\n<div id=\"fs-idm23751888\" class=\"problem\">\n<p id=\"fs-idp33598752\">Review <a class=\"autogenerated-content\" href=\"#CNX_Econ_C03_003\">Figure 3<\/a>. Suppose the price of gasoline is $1.60 per gallon. Is the quantity demanded higher or lower than at the equilibrium price of $1.40 per gallon? And what about the quantity supplied? Is there a shortage or a surplus in the market? If so, of how much?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"fs-idp101789840\" class=\"references\">\n<h1>References<\/h1>\n<p id=\"fs-idm77580496\">Costanza, Robert, and Lisa Wainger. \u201cNo Accounting For Nature: How Conventional Economics Distorts the Value of Things.\u201d <em>The Washington Post<\/em>. September 2, 1990.<\/p>\n<p id=\"eip-17\">European Commission: Agriculture and Rural Development. 2013. &#8220;Overview of the CAP Reform: 2014-2024.&#8221; Accessed April 13, 205. http:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/agriculture\/cap-post-2013\/.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idp69920992\">Radford, R. A. \u201cThe Economic Organisation of a P.O.W. Camp.\u201d <em>Economica<\/em>. no. 48 (1945): 189-201. http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/2550133.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div>\n<h2>Glossary<\/h2>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm136739616\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>demand curve<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idp11870368\">a graphic representation of the relationship between price and quantity demanded of a certain good or service, with quantity on the horizontal axis and the price on the vertical axis<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm62641344\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>demand schedule<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm70030576\">a table that shows a range of prices for a certain good or service and the quantity demanded at each price<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm116591312\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>demand<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm86665632\">the relationship between price and the quantity demanded of a certain good or service<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm67664064\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>equilibrium price<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm140191664\">the price where quantity demanded is equal to quantity supplied<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm145746864\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>equilibrium quantity<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm37841728\">the quantity at which quantity demanded and quantity supplied are equal for a certain price level<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm126430032\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>equilibrium<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm47454048\">the situation where quantity demanded is equal to the quantity supplied; the combination of price and quantity where there is no economic pressure from surpluses or shortages that would cause price or quantity to change<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm140701456\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>excess demand<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm139950960\">at the existing price, the quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied; also called a shortage<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm97055824\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>excess supply<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idp7632352\">at the existing price, quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded; also called a surplus<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm159562656\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>law of demand<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm126343472\">the common relationship that a higher price leads to a lower quantity demanded of a certain good or service and a lower price leads to a higher quantity demanded, while all other variables are held constant<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm163222336\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>law of supply<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm109427728\">the common relationship that a higher price leads to a greater quantity supplied and a lower price leads to a lower quantity supplied, while all other variables are held constant<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm145148512\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>price<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm152526848\">what a buyer pays for a unit of the specific good or service<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm51999296\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>quantity demanded<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm128540048\">the total number of units of a good or service consumers are willing to purchase at a given price<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm105575888\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>quantity supplied<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm90530800\">the total number of units of a good or service producers are willing to sell at a given price<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm136216800\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>shortage<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm124145792\">at the existing price, the quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied; also called excess demand<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm136032336\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>supply curve<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm106871216\">a line that shows the relationship between price and quantity supplied on a graph, with quantity supplied on the horizontal axis and price on the vertical axis<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm99365136\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>supply schedule<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm186058480\">a table that shows a range of prices for a good or service and the quantity supplied at each price<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm175686800\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>supply<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idm67621776\">the relationship between price and the quantity supplied of a certain good or service<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"fs-idm167976848\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>surplus<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-idp7799264\">at the existing price, quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded; also called excess supply<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-info\">\n<h3>Solutions<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Answers to Self-Check Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"fs-idp57350896\">Since $1.60 per gallon is above the equilibrium price, the quantity demanded would be lower at 550 gallons and the quantity supplied would be higher at 640 gallons. (These results are due to the laws of demand and supply, respectively.) The outcome of lower Qd and higher Qs would be a surplus in the gasoline market of 640 \u2013 550 = 90 gallons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"menu_order":2,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":["openstax"],"pb_section_license":"cc-by"},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[63],"license":[52],"class_list":["post-965","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","contributor-openstax","license-cc-by"],"part":104,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/965","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/965\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1465,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/965\/revisions\/1465"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/104"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/965\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=965"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=965"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accbertelsen\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}