Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Economics

Chapter

Micro Economics: Theory of Consumer behaviour

Question:

When will increase in supply bring down the price, leaving the quantity demanded unchanged?

Options:

When demand for the commodity is perfectly elastic.

When demand for the commodity is perfectly inelastic.

When demand for the commodity is less elastic.

When demand for the commodity is more elastic.

Correct Answer:

When demand for the commodity is perfectly inelastic.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2) → When demand for the commodity is perfectly inelastic.

  • Perfectly inelastic demand means that the quantity demanded remains constant regardless of any change in price. The demand curve is vertical.

  • When supply increases, it leads to a fall in price due to excess supply.

  • However, if demand is perfectly inelastic, consumers will continue to buy the same quantity even at the lower price.

    Example: Life-saving medicines like insulin

  • Suppose a diabetic patient must take 1 vial of insulin per week, regardless of its price.

  • If the price is ₹500 per vial, the patient buys 1 vial per week.

  • If the price falls to ₹300 due to an increase in supply, the patient still buys only 1 vial per week, because they need only one and cannot use more, even if it’s cheaper.