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Demand and Supply Lecture Notes - AP Microeconomics

Introduction

  • Demand and Supply are fundamental concepts in economics.
  • They determine the price and quantity of goods in a market.

Demand

Definition

  • Quantity of a good that consumers are willing and able to purchase at different prices.

Law of Demand

  • Inverse relationship between price and quantity demanded.

Factors Influencing Demand

  • Income
  • Tastes and Preferences
  • Price of Related Goods (Substitutes and Complements)
  • Expectations
  • Population and Demographics

Shifts in Demand Curve

  • Increase in Demand: Curve shifts right.
  • Decrease in Demand: Curve shifts left.

Movement Along the Curve

  • Caused by a change in the price of the good itself.

Supply

Definition

  • Quantity of a good that producers are willing and able to sell at different prices.

Law of Supply

  • Direct relationship between price and quantity supplied.

Factors Influencing Supply

  • Cost of Production
  • Technology
  • Government Policies (Taxes, Subsidies)
  • Number of Sellers
  • Expectations of Future Prices

Shifts in Supply Curve

  • Increase in Supply: Curve shifts right.
  • Decrease in Supply: Curve shifts left.

Movement Along the Curve

  • Caused by a change in the price of the good itself.

Equilibrium

Definition

  • Point where the demand curve and supply curve intersect.

Characteristics

  • Equilibrium Price: Price at which quantity demanded equals quantity supplied.
  • Equilibrium Quantity: Quantity at equilibrium price.