To calculate demand elasticity, you divide the percentage change in the quantity demanded for a good by the percentage change in the price for that same good. For instance, if the price of bananas were to drop by 10% with a corresponding demand-quantity increase of 10%, the ratio would be 0.1/0.1 = 1. Elastic demand occurs when the ratio of quantity demanded to price is more than one. For example, if the price dropped 10%, and the amount demanded rose 50%, the ratio would be 0.5/0.1 = 5. On the other end, if the price dropped 10%, and the quantity demanded didn’t change, the ratio would be 0/0.1 = 0. That is known as being “perfectly inelastic.”
Examples of Inelastic Demand
Inelastic demand occurs when the ratio of quantity demanded to price is between zero and one unit elastic. This typically occurs when a particular good or service lacks adequate substitutes and represents a necessity. Examples of goods with inelastic demand include gasoline, necessary foods, and prescription drugs. When price changes on these items, demand doesn’t fluctuate much because these items are required in the everyday lives of most consumers. In contrast, demand for luxury goods such as high-end cars, dessert foods, or entertainment tends to be much more elastic. It’s worth noting that demand may be inelastic for a broad category of goods—fruit, for example—but elastic for specific types or brands of that good. So, for instance, consumer demand for fruit may not fluctuate much, but a rise in apple prices might lead more people to buy grapes.
What Is the Inelastic Demand Curve?
You can tell whether the demand for an item is inelastic by looking at its demand curve. Since the quantity demanded doesn’t change as much as the price, it will look steep. It will be any curve that is steeper than the unit elastic curve, which is a 45-degree angle as measured from the chart’s horizontal axis. Five factors determine the demand for an item. They are price, the price of alternatives, income, tastes, and expectations. For aggregate demand, the sixth determinant is the number of buyers. The demand curve shows how the quantity changes in response to price. If one of the other determinants changes, it will shift the entire demand curve. More or less of that good or service will be demanded, even though the price remains unchanged.
Inelastic Demand vs. Elastic Demand
By contrast, elastic demand refers to products that fluctuate in consumer demand if their price changes. For example, if an item’s price goes up, consumers likely won’t buy as much. If the price goes down, they may end up buying more than predicted.
What Inelastic Demand Means for You
For consumers and businesses, the reality of inelastic demand means that some goods are more vulnerable to price swings than others. In many cases, these are the products that are most difficult to replace or forego. When the price rises on a good with inelastic demand, you or your business may have to absorb this price change. To do this, you might have to purchase fewer luxury goods or items that aren’t necessities. Conversely, when price drops on necessities, it may be wise for businesses to stock up to hedge against future price swings.
