Elasticity of Demand

[archived_user]

If the price elasticity of demand is –1.5 and a change in the price of the product increases the quantity demanded by 4%, then what is the percent change in price?
A)
–0.375%.
B)
–6.000%.
C)
–2.667%.
Explanation
Price elasticity of demand is calculated by dividing the percent change in quantity demanded by the percent change in price. The percent change in price is, therefore, the percent change in quantity demanded divided by the price elasticity of demand = 4 / –1.5 = –2.667.
If Elasticity = (%ChangeQuantity/%ChangePrice) why is this problem not solved by -1..5 = 4%/X so X = -1.5 * 4% = -6%. Why do they start with -1.5 = 4%/X then…-1.5X=4%….X=4%/-1.5 = -2.6667%?
Am I forgetting basic algebra?

 

[archived_user]

wichertj wrote: If the price elasticity of demand is –1.5 and a change in the price of the product increases the quantity demanded by 4%, then what is the percent change in price?
A)
–0.375%.
B)
–6.000%.
C)
–2.667%.
Explanation
Price elasticity of demand is calculated by dividing the percent change in quantity demanded by the percent change in price. The percent change in price is, therefore, the percent change in quantity demanded divided by the price elasticity of demand = 4 / –1.5 = –2.667.
If Elasticity = (%ChangeQuantity/%ChangePrice) why is this problem not solved by -1..5 = 4%/X so X = -1.5 * 4% = -6%. Why do they start with -1.5 = 4%/X then…-1.5X=4%….X=4%/-1.5 = -2.6667%?
Am I forgetting basic algebra?

Probably.
Elasticity = %ΔQ / %ΔP
Elasticity × %ΔP = %ΔQ
%ΔP = %ΔQ / Elasticity

 

[archived_user]

Thanks! It clicked haha

 

[archived_user]

My pleasure.