Question:

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other one labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The total expenditure made by a consumer on a normal good decreases with the increase in its price.
Reason (R): The price elasticity of demand for the good is elastic ($\text{E}_p > 1$). In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

Elastic demand (\(\text{E}_p > 1\)): Price up $\to$ Expenditure down. Inelastic demand (\(\text{E}_p < 1\)): Price up $\to$ Expenditure up.
  • Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
  • Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
  • (A) is correct but (R) is not correct.
  • (A) is not correct but (R) is correct.
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Assertion (A) is incorrect: For a normal good, when the price increases, the quantity demanded decreases due to the law of demand. However, whether total expenditure (price × quantity) decreases depends on the price elasticity of demand (\(\text{E}_p\)). If demand is elastic (\(\text{E}_p > 1\)), a price increase leads to a proportionally larger decrease in quantity demanded, reducing total expenditure. If demand is inelastic (\(\text{E}_p < 1\)), the quantity decrease is smaller, increasing total expenditure. Since (A) claims total expenditure always decreases, it is not universally true for all normal goods. Reason (R) is correct: Elastic demand (\(\text{E}_p > 1\)) means that a price increase results in a significant drop in quantity demanded, reducing total expenditure. However, (R) does not fully explain (A) because (A) is incorrect in its generalization. Thus, option (D) is correct.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top Questions on Economics

View More Questions

ICAR AIEEA Notification