Calculation & Determinants of PED | Economics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

The Definition & Calculation of PED

• The principle of demand asserts that as prices rise, the amount demanded decreases.
  • Economists focus on determining the extent of this decrease in quantity demanded.
• Price elasticity of demand measures the degree to which quantity demanded reacts to price fluctuations.
  • This responsiveness varies across various product categories.

Calculation of PED

• To calculate a PED, utilize the following formula:
  
• To calculate a % change, use the following formula:
  

Interpreting PED Values

The Determinants of Price Elasticity of Demand (PED)

• Some products are more responsive to changes in prices than others.
• The factors that determine the responsiveness are known as the determinants of PED and include:
  • Availability of Substitutes: When there are good substitute products available, the price elasticity of demand tends to be higher, making it relatively elastic. This means consumers are more likely to switch to alternatives if the price of the product increases.
  • Addictiveness of the Product: Products that are highly addictive and considered essential or necessary have a low price elasticity of demand, making it relatively inelastic. Inelastic demand implies that consumers are less responsive to price changes.
  • Price of Product as a Proportion of Income: If the price of a product represents a lower proportion of an individual's income, the price elasticity of demand will be lower. This leads to relatively inelastic demand, as consumers are less likely to adjust their purchasing behavior in response to price changes, especially for cheaper products.
  • Time Period Consideration: In the short term, consumers typically exhibit less sensitivity to price changes, resulting in a low value of PED, indicating relatively inelastic demand. However, over a longer time horizon, consumers may become more responsive to price variations. If given sufficient time, consumers might seek out alternative products, leading to a higher value of PED, indicating relatively elastic demand.