The law of supply is based on the assumption of ______ Economic Applications
- 08
- Apr
Law of Supply is a fundamental concept in economics that provides valuable insights into how producers respond to changes in price, it also has certain limitations and simplifications. These limitations are crucial for a more nuanced perspective on supply behavior in the real world. These assumptions are crucial because they provide a simplified framework for analyzing the relationship between price and quantity supplied in economics. In such a case, the supply will go down to accommodate for the increased costs. As such, the law remains valid only as long as other factors affecting the market inventory of goods and services remain constant.
Assumptions of Law of Supply: A Deep Dive with Complexity and Variety
On the other hand, if the seller expects further rise in price of the commodity he will not sell more even if the price level is high. In the given figure, price and quantity supplied are measured along the Y-axis and the X-axis respectively. By plotting various combinations of price and quantity supplied we derived points A, B, C, D, E curve and joining these points we find an upward sloping i.e.
The quantity supplied increases at a slower rate than the price increase, indicating that producers are less responsive to price changes as supply rises. The law of supply states that, other things remaining the same, the quantity supplied of a commodity is directly or positively related to its price. Thus, the supply curve of a commodity slopes upward from left to right. When the price of a specific commodity increases, potential producers are encouraged to enter the market and produce the good to make money. The market supply rises as the number of businesses increases.
- However, the changes in the quantity supplied are different from the changes in the supply.
- The law of supply reflects the general tendency of the sellers in offering their stock of a commodity for sale in relation to the varying prices.
- In the above graph, the rising slope of the supply curve (SS) indicates a clear relationship between price and quantity supplied.
- Deviations, inconsistencies, and external influences often challenge these assumptions, reminding us of the law’s theoretical nature.
- It has been observed that as wages increase, a worker might work for a lesser number of hours than before.
The availability of resources is the unspoken backbone of the law. When this assumption crumbles, so too does the ability to meet rising demand This assumption paints them as rational actors striving to maximize earnings. If the firms expect higher profits in the future, they will take the risk and produce goods on a large scale, resulting in a larger supply of commodities.
The law of supply does not apply to agricultural goods as their production depends on climatic conditions. If, due to unforeseen changes in weather, the production of agricultural products is low, then their supply cannot be increased even at higher prices. A rise in price induces the prospective producers to enter into the market to produce the given commodity so as to earn higher profits. However, as the price starts falling, some firms which do not expect to earn any profits at a low price either stop the production or reduce it. It reduces the supply of the given commodity as the number of firms in the market decreases. We know, price is the dominant factor in determining supply of a commodity.
The Steady Drumbeat of Input Costs
This law is built on several key assumptions that help explain how producers respond to changes in price. The law of supply is a crucial element of market dynamics and plays a central role in understanding how producers respond to changes in market conditions, particularly changes in price. It helps explain the upward-sloping supply curve commonly seen in supply and demand diagrams and is a foundational concept in economics. The law states that when the price of commodity increases, its supply also goes up. Thus, the motive is to achieve more profit, sales, and demand for the product.
However, the changes in the quantity supplied are different from the changes in the supply. This is because the sellers consider factors such as the market price, profit opportunities, consumer demand, etc., before determining the quantity supplied. A ‘change in supply’ refers to a shift in the entire supply curve caused by factors other than the good’s own price, such as changes in technology, input costs, or government policies. In this case, the law of supply itself still holds true along the new curve. An ‘exception to the law of supply’, however, refers to a situation where the basic principle of the law is violated.
- This is the seventh assumption among the different assumptions of law of supply
- If the quantity of natural resources (minerals, gas, coal, oil, etc.) increases, the cost of production decreases.
- This happens due to change in preference of labour for leisure hours.
- They strip away complexities, offering a clear lens through which to view the price-supply relationship.
आपूर्ति वक्र का ढलान ऊपर की ओर क्यों होता है? (Why does the supply curve slope upward?)
Companies seeking high market share and market growth will carry longer lines. Companies that emphasise high profitability will carry shorter lines consisting of carefully chosen items. Product-line managers are concerned with length of product line. If adding items to the product line can increase profits, then we can say that the product line is too short. On the contrary, the line is too long if dropping items can increase profits.
7 The Role of Government in Microeconomics
The law thus suggests that the supply varies directly with the change in price. So, a larger amount is supplied at a higher price that at a lower price in the market. The above table indicates that when the price of the commodity rises, an increasing number of units are offered for sale.
The production of goods decreases due to a decrease in investment. The law of supply is based on a moving quantity of materials available to meet a particular need. If four non-price factors indicate that these variables also affect the supply but they are held constant then the supply function can also be symbolized as In figure (4.1) the price is plotted on the vertical axis and the quantity supplied on the horizontal axis. The market supply data of the commodity X as shown in the supply schedule is now presented graphically.
एकाधिकार बाजार (Monopoly Market) क्या है? अर्थ, विशेषताएँ और बहुत कुछ।
For example, if the price of pizza falls from ₹200 to ₹150, then many new customers who were not in a position to afford it earlier can now purchase it because of the fall in price. Also, the existing customers can now demand more pizza, resulting in an increase in its total demand. When the price of a commodity falls, various new customers who could not purchase the assumptions of law of supply commodity earlier due to its high price are now in a position to buy it. Besides new customers, the existing or old customers of the commodity will also start demanding more of the commodity because of the fall in price. It is assumed that government policies related to taxation, subsidies, or trade remain constant.
Marginal Utility = Price Condition or Single Commodity Equilibrium Condition
It also discusses exceptions to the law, such as auction sales, stock clearance, and perishable goods, where supply may not increase with rising prices. These insights illustrate how external conditions can affect supply dynamics contrary to traditional expectations. It is assumed that the price of the product changes, but there is no change in the cost of production. If the cost of production increases along with the rise in the price of product, the sellers will not find it worthwhile to produce more and supply more. Therefore, the law of supply will be valid only if the cost of production remains constant. It implies that the factor prices such as wages, interest, rent etc., are also unchanged.
However, once the price begins to decline, some businesses that do not anticipate making any money at a low price may stop production or cut it back. As the number of businesses in the market declines, it decreases the supply of the given commodity. Maximising profits is the primary goal of producers when they supply a good or service. Their profits grow when the price of a commodity rises without a change in costs.
This is the second assumption among the different assumptions of law of supply Ceteris paribus ensures the law remains focused, stripping away the noise of outside interference. This is the first among the different assumptions of law of supply. Let’s discuss the assumptions of law of supply, exploring the nuances that make the law of supply tick. The supply of a commodity may also be affected by progress in technique. If an improved technology is used, then it reduces the cost of production.
The law of supply is one part of the law of supply and demand. Understanding these assumptions of law of supply, however, equips us to navigate the intricate realities of supply-side economics with greater clarity. In a nutshell, we can say that assumptions of law of supply are very important to get a basic understanding of this law relating to supply. But scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll find the chaotic dance of human imperfection complicating the equation.
The Law of Demand states that when the price of a commodity rises, its demand falls, and when the price falls, demand rises. However, there are certain exceptional cases where this law does not hold true. Some commodities have different uses, among which some of them are more important, and the rest are less important. However, when the price of the commodity reduces, consumers will use it for every purpose, whether it is important or not. The Marginal Utility falls as the consumption of the commodity increases.
