Supply and demand analysis

Demand Estimation

First, it is crucial that we calculate the Q. value in order to find the elasticities of the other independent variables. This can be done by plugging in the assigned values for each of the independent variables provided by the problem case study. According to the research, "price elasticity of demand is the percentage change in quantity demanded as a result of a 1% change in price" (Fibich, 2005). Thus, it can be determined with the following equations:

Q= -5,200-42P + 20Px +5.2Y + 0.20A + 0.25M

Q= -5,200-42(500) + 20(600) + 5.2(5,500) + 0.20(10,000) + 0.25(5,000)

Q= 17,650

Price of Product (P)

ED=?P / ?Q x P/Q

=-42 x 500/17,650

Price of Competitor's Product (Px)

ED=?Px / ?Q x Px/Q

=20 x 600/17,650

=0.6798

Per Capita Income (Y)

ED=?Q / ?Y x Y/Q

=5.2 x 5,500 / 17,650

= 1.6203

Monthly Advertising Expenditure (A)

ED=?A / ?Q x Q/A

=0.2 x 10,000/17,650

= 0.1133

Number of Microwaves Sold in the Market (M)

ED=?Q / ?M x M/Q

=0.25 x 5,000/17,650

=0.07082

Question 2

Clearly, there are implications for both long and short-term pricing strategies. Essentially, cutting the price would immediately increase the demand. However, it would begin to eat away at the organization's supply if done too aggressively. This would ultimately force the company to increase production, which would require investments in production capacity. For more long-term profit potential, price should be set so that the demand can be met long-term as well. Ultimately, the best pricing strategy aims to grow profit potential, but also the consumer base as well (Saunders, 2013). If short-term price cuts forces the inventory out of stock, it may impact the ability to retain and grow consumer base.

Question 3

The firm should only cut its prices if it would increase overall demand. Thus, one needs to look at the price elasticity in order to make such a decision. Based on the previous computations, the price elasticity is -1.1898. However, the absolute value of this makes it a positive 1.1898. This value is greater than 1, which means that a decrease in price would positively increase the overall demand. Ultimately, this means that the firm should consider cutting its prices because it would increase the overall demand and thus increase its market share.

Question 4

Price

Demand

39650

30250

26050

21850

17650

-11750

Price

Demand

Supply

39650

0

30250

26050

15819.78

21850

23729.67

17650

31639.56

-11750

39549.45

The equilibrium price would be $375, and the quantity would be 20,000. This would represent the break even point.