DaffyDuck23
Jul 5, 2009, 11:58 AM
The teenager company makes and sells skateboards at an average price of $70 each.  During the past year, they sold 4000 of these skateboards.  The company believes that the price elasticity for this product is about -2.5.  If it decreases the price to $63, what should be the quantity sold?
 
I say the answer is 5000.  Can anyone confirm?
Perito
Jul 5, 2009, 03:48 PM
The teenager company makes and sells skateboards at an average price of $70 each. During the past year, they sold 4000 of these skateboards. The company believes that the price elasticity for this product is about -2.5. If it decreases the price to $63, what should be the quantity sold?
 
I say the answer is 5000. Can anyone confirm?
 
Price elasticity is 
 
E = \frac {\Delta \, % Quantity}{ \Delta\,% Price} = \frac {\Delta \, % Quantity}{-10%} = -2.5 
 
\Delta \, % Quantity = 25%
 
125% of 4000 = 5000.  
 
I get the same answer.  No guarantees, but it looks right to me.