Eco550

ECO 550

 Imagine that you work for the maker of a leading brand of low-calorie, frozen microwavable food that estimates the following demand equation for its product using data from 26 supermarkets around the country for the month of April.

For a refresher on independent and dependent variables, please go to Sophia’s Website and review the Independent and Dependent Variables tutorial, located at 

Option 1

Note: The following is a regression equation. Standard errors are in parentheses for the demand for widgets.

 QD       =          20,000 - 10P + 1500A + 5PX + 10I

(5,234)  (2.29)   (525)   (1.75)  (1.5)

R2 = 0.85           n = 120             F = 35.25

 Your supervisor has asked you to compute the elasticity’s for each independent variable. Assume the following values for the independent variables:

Write a four to six (4-6) page paper in which you:

1. Compute the elasticity’s for each independent variable. Note: Write down all of your calculations.

2. Determine the implications for each of the computed elasticity’s for the business in terms of short-term and long-term pricing strategies. Provide a rationale in which you cite your results.

3. Recommend whether you believe that this firm should or should not cut its price to increase its market share. Provide support for your recommendation.

4. Assume that all the factors affecting demand in this model remain the same, but that the price has changed. Further assume that the price changes are 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 dollars.

a. Plot the demand curve for the firm.

b. Plot the corresponding supply curve on the same graph using the following MC / supply function Q = -7909.89 + 79.0989P with the same prices.

c. Determine the equilibrium price and quantity.

d. Outline the significant factors that could cause changes in supply and demand for the product. Determine the primary manner in which both the short-term and the long-term changes in market conditions could...