When both supply and demand decrease, what about price can we not predict?

Prepare for the UCF ECO2013 Principles of Macroeconomics Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

When both supply and demand decrease, the direction of the change in price becomes uncertain. This is due to the fact that a simultaneous decrease in supply and demand exerts opposing effects on the price. A decrease in supply tends to increase the price, as there are fewer goods available to meet demand. Conversely, a decrease in demand typically leads to a lower price, as there are fewer buyers in the market.

Because both forces are at play, the net impact on price is ambiguous without knowing the relative magnitudes of the shifts in supply and demand. If the decrease in demand is more significant than the decrease in supply, the price may fall. If the decrease in supply is greater than that in demand, the price may rise. Therefore, while we can confidently say that both curves are shifting leftward, predicting the specific direction of the price change remains indeterminate.

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