What needs to happen to the price indicated by P2 …

Mathematics Questions

The graph shows excess supply. A graph titled Excess supply has quantity on the x-axis and price on the y-axis. A line with positive slope represents supply and a line with negative slope represents demand. The lines intersect at the point of equilibrium (p star, Q star). A point on the demand line is (P 2, quantity demanded) and a point on the supply line is (P 2, quantity supplied). Both points are higher than the point of equilibrium. Excess supply is indicated between the 2 points. Which needs to happen to the price indicated by p2 on the graph in order to achieve equilibrium? It needs to be increased. It needs to be decreased. It needs to reach the price ceiling. It needs to remain unchanged.

Short Answer

Excess supply occurs when the quantity of goods exceeds consumer demand, resulting from prices set above equilibrium. To balance the market, prices should decrease, encouraging demand while reducing supply until market equilibrium is achieved, which stabilizes prices and availability.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand Excess Supply

When the market experiences excess supply, it means that the quantity of products available is greater than what consumers want to buy. This situation occurs when the price of goods is set above the equilibrium price. At this higher price, producers supply more, but consumers opt to purchase less, leading to surplus.

Step 2: Recognize the Need for Price Decrease

To correct this imbalance and move towards equilibrium, prices need to be lowered. A decrease in price will encourage more consumers to buy the product, thus increasing demand. At the same time, it may discourage producers from supplying as much, which helps clear the excess supply.

Step 3: Achieve Market Equilibrium

As prices fall, the market will eventually reach a point where the quantity demanded matches the quantity supplied, achieving market equilibrium. This balance is essential for a healthy economy, as it allows for stable prices and availability of goods. When equilibrium is reached, there is neither a surplus nor a shortage in the market.

Related Concepts

Excess Supply

The condition where the quantity of products available exceeds the quantity that consumers are willing to purchase, often due to high prices

Equilibrium Price

The price at which the quantity of goods supplied is equal to the quantity demanded, resulting in no surplus or shortage

Market Equilibrium

The state where supply equals demand in a market, leading to stable prices and availability of goods.

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