Investopedia

Inelastic

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Inelastic'

An economic term used to describe the situation in which the supply and demand for a good are unaffected when the price of that good or service changes.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Inelastic'

When a price change has no effect on the supply and demand of a good or service, it is considered perfectly inelastic. An example of perfectly inelastic demand would be a life saving drug that people will pay any price to obtain. Even if the price of the drug were to increase dramatically, the quantity demanded would remain the same.

Related Video for 'Inelastic'

Articles Of Interest

  1. What Is Elasticity?

    Elasticity measures the relationship between a good and its price based on consumer demand, consumer income, and its available supply. Learn the basics about it here.
  2. Understanding Supply-Side Economics

    Does the amount of goods and services produced set the pace for economic growth? Here are the arguments.
  3. Why We Splurge When Times Are Good

    The concept of elasticity of demand is part of every purchase you make. Find out how it works.
  4. Economics Basics

    Learn economics principles such as the relationship of supply and demand, elasticity, utility, and more!
  5. Leading Economic Indicators Predict Market Trends

    Leading indicators help investors to predict and react to where the market is headed.
  6. Great Company Or Growing Industry?

    Look at the big picture when choosing a company - what you see may really be a stage in its industry's growth.
  7. Prisoner's Dilemma

    Learn more about this classic game theory scenario.
  8. Is Growth Always A Good Thing?

    Getting big quickly looks good, but companies can get into trouble when they do it too fast. Find out how to spot this trouble.
  9. What Is "Chained CPI?"

    Chained CPI is one of many ways to approximate the impact of rising or falling prices to consumers' pocketbooks.
  10. Natural Disasters: Issues Relating To Leaves Of Absence

    Small businesses are more likely to fail in the aftermath of devastation. How can you as an employee handle issues after a disaster?
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions
  1. Winner's Curse

    Because of incomplete information, emotions or any other number of factors regarding the item being auctioned, bidders can have a difficult time determining the item's intrinsic value. As a result, the largest overestimation of an item's value ends up winning the auction.
  2. Glocalization

    A combination of the words "globalization" and "localization" used to describe a product or service that is developed and distributed globally, but is also fashioned to accommodate the user or consumer in a local market.
  3. Disaster Loss

    A special type of tax-deductible loss, similar to a casualty loss, where a loss has been incurred by taxpayers who reside in an area that has been designated as a federal disaster area by the President.
  4. Fool In The Shower

    The notion that changes or policies designed to alter the course of the economy should be done slowly, rather than all at once.
  5. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.
  6. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.
Trading Center