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The text explores the theory of demand and supply, outlining concepts such
as demand function, types of demand, and exceptions to the law of demand.
Demand is defined as the consumer’s willingness and ability to purchase
goods or services, influenced by factors like price, income, and preferences.
The demand function is expressed mathematically, illustrating how various
determinants affect quantity demanded. Several types of demand, including
individual, market, direct, derived, joint, and composite demand, are
discussed. The law of supply states that as prices rise, the quantity supplied
also increases. The text also details the determinants of supply, including
production costs and government interventions, and highlights the
significance of equilibrium price in a market. Additionally, it covers consumer
and producer surplus, emphasizing their roles in economic transactions.
Key Insights
Demand is effective only when desire is coupled with the ability and
willingness to pay.
The law of supply indicates a direct relationship between price and quantity
supplied, driven by profit motives and production costs.
Giffen goods are inferior goods for which demand increases when prices rise,
defying the law of demand. This occurs because consumers may reduce their
consumption of more expensive alternatives, leading them to buy more of
the inferior good.