Question

Difficulty: EasyMarket Equilibrium Price and Quantity

The table below shows the daily market demand and supply schedules for loaves of bread in a competitive local market:

Price (\text{N})Quantity Demanded (loaves)Quantity Supplied (loaves)
10101001002020
202080804040
303060606060
404040408080
50502020100100

What is the market equilibrium price and quantity?

  1. N30\text{N}30 and 6060 loavesAnswer
  2. B
    N10\text{N}10 and 100100 loaves
  3. C
    N50\text{N}50 and 100100 loaves
  4. D
    N20\text{N}20 and 4040 loaves

Answer

N30\text{N}30 and 6060 loaves
Market equilibrium is determined at the price where quantity demanded equals quantity supplied (Qd=QsQ_d = Q_s). From the given schedule, at a price of N30\text{N}30, both quantity demanded and quantity supplied are equal to 6060 loaves.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the equilibrium condition
Market equilibrium is established when Quantity Demanded (QdQ_d) equals Quantity Supplied (QsQ_s).
At equilibrium, there is neither an excess demand (shortage) nor an excess supply (surplus) in the market.
2
Locate the row in the table where Qd=QsQ_d = Q_s
At a price of N30\text{N}30, Qd=60Q_d = 60 loaves and Qs=60Q_s = 60 loaves.
This is the only price point in the schedule where buyer demand exactly matches seller supply.

Key Concept

Market Equilibrium Price and Quantity
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