If the price of a bicycle changes from N120 to N80 and quantity bought changes from 300 to 500 units, the elasticity of demand for bicycle is

  • A 66.7
  • B 0.5
  • C 1.5
  • D 2.0

The correct answer is D. 2.0

To calculate the price elasticity of demand, we use the formula:

\(E_d = \frac{\%\, \text{Change in Quantity Demanded}}{\%\, \text{Change in Price}}\)

First, calculate the percentage change in quantity demanded:

\(\%\, \text{Change in Quantity Demanded} = \frac{\text{New Quantity} - \text{Old Quantity}}{\text{Old Quantity}} \times 100 = \frac{500 - 300}{300} \times 100 = \frac{200}{300} \times 100 = \frac{2}{3} \times 100 \approx 66.7\%\)

Next, calculate the percentage change in price:

\(\%\, \text{Change in Price} = \frac{\text{New Price} - \text{Old Price}}{\text{Old Price}} \times 100 = \frac{80 - 120}{120} \times 100 = \frac{-40}{120} \times 100 = -\frac{1}{3} \times 100 = -33.3\%\)

The formula for elasticity is concerned with the absolute values of these changes, so:
\(E_d = \left| \frac{66.7}{33.3} \right| = 2.0\)

Therefore, the price elasticity of demand for the bicycle is 2.0.

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