Elasticity

Filed Under »
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Elasticity'

A measure of a variable's sensitivity to a change in another variable. In economics, elasticity refers the degree to which individuals (consumers/producers) change their demand/amount supplied in response to price or income changes.

Calculated as:

Elasticity
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Elasticity'

Elasticity is used to assess the change in consumer demand as a result of a change in the good's price. When the value is greater than 1, this suggests that the demand for the good/service is affected by the price, whereas a value that is less than 1 suggest that the demand is insensitive to price. 

Businesses often strive to sell/market products or services that are or seem inelastic in demand because doing so can mean that few customers will be lost as a result of price increases.

Related Definitions

  • Economics

    A social science that studies how individuals, governments, firms and nations make choices on allocating scarce resources to satisfy their unlimited wants. Economics can generally be ...
    Read More »
  • Convenience Good

    A consumer item that is widely-available, purchased frequently and with minimal effort. Because a convenience good can be found readily, it does not require the consumer to go through an ...
    Read More »
  • Equilibrium

    The state in which market supply and demand balance each other and, as a result, prices become stable. Generally, when there is too much supply for goods or services, the price goes ...
    Read More »
    • Arc Elasticity

      The elasticity of one variable with respect to another between two given points. It is used when there is no general function to define the relationship of the two variables. Arc ...
      Read More »
    • Demand

      An economic principle that describes a consumer’s desire and willingness to pay a price for a specific good or service. Holding all other factors constant, the price of a good or service ...
      Read More »
    • Price Elasticity Of Demand

      A measure of the responsiveness of the quantity demanded of a good to a change in its price. It is calculated as:
      Read More »
    • Substitute

      A product or service that satisfies the need of a consumer that another product or service fulfills. A substitute can be perfect or imperfect depending on whether the substitute ...
      Read More »
    • Normal Good

      An economic term used to describe the quantity demanded for a particular good or service as a result of a change in the given level of income. A normal good is one that experiences an ...
      Read More »
    • Cross Elasticity Of Demand

      An economic concept that measures the responsiveness in the quantity demand of one good when a change in price takes place in another good. The measure is calculated by taking the ...
      Read More »
    • Demand Theory

      A theory relating to the relationship between consumer demand for goods and services and their prices. Demand theory forms the basis for the demand curve, which relates consumer desire ...
      Read More »

Articles Of Interest

Partner Links