Unit 3 [MT445]
Unit 3 Assignment: Elasticity and Labor Market
Equilibrium
1. Is the price elasticity of demand for gasoline more elastic over a shorter or a longer period
of time? Explain.
2. Is the price
...
Unit 3 [MT445]
Unit 3 Assignment: Elasticity and Labor Market
Equilibrium
1. Is the price elasticity of demand for gasoline more elastic over a shorter or a longer period
of time? Explain.
2. Is the price elasticity of supply, in general, more elastic over a shorter or a longer period of
time? Explain.
3. Why is the supply curve for labor usually upward sloping? Explain.
4. In the graph below, assume that the market demand curve for labor is initially D1. The
market supply curve for labor is indicated with figure “S.” Wage rate is depicted on the
other things held constant vertical axis (dollars per unit), and employment level (quantity of
labor) is depicted along the horizontal axis. Answer the following questions.
(Description of graph: In the graph, assume that the market demand curve for labor is initially D1. The market supply curve for labor is indicated with figure “S.” Wage rate is depicted, based
on the other things held constant, on the vertical axis (dollars per unit), and employment level (quantity of labor) is depicted along the horizontal axis. The graphs show both scenarios for
an increase in demand as well as a decrease in demand in the labor market. If the labor demand increases, the demand curve shifts from D1 to D3. If the labor demand decreases the
demand curve shifts from D1 to D2. The change in demand also changes the equilibrium values. Based on this information and scenarios presented under the questions, answer the
following questions.)
Unit 3 [MT445] D. Grimes
a. What are the initial equilibrium wage rate and employment level?
b. Other things held constant, assume that the price of a substitute resource decreases.
What will happen to the demand for labor? Will it increase or decrease?
What are the new equilibrium wage rate and employment level?
c. Other things held constant, suppose that demand for the final product increases. Using
the labor demand curve D1 as your starting point, what happens to the demand for
labor? What are the new equilibrium wage rate and employment level?
d. Assume this industry is dominated by non-union workers. How would the equilibrium
wage compare to that earned in a similar industry with similarly skilled union workers?
Explain.
5. Use the following data to answer the questions below. Assume a perfectly competitive
product market.
Units of Labor Units of Output
0 0
1 8
2 12
3 17
4 21
5 23
a. Calculate the total revenue product and marginal revenue product at each level of
labor input if output sells for $4 per unit.
b. If the wage rate is $15 per hour, how many units of labor will be hired? Explain your
answer.
Unit 3 [MT445] D. Grimes
References:
O'Brien, G.H.A. P. (2018). Economics. [Purdue University Global Bookshelf]. Retrieved
from https://purdueuniversityglobal.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134739281/
Riley, Geoff/ (2012). Unit 1 Micro: Revision on Price Elasticity of Supply,
https://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/unit-1-micro-revision-on-price-elasticity-ofsupply#:~:text=Supply%20is%20usually%20more%20price,to%20adjust%20its%20production
%20levels.&text=Supply%20is%20likely%20to%20be,such%20as%20land%20and%20capital.
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