Asked by riq

Assume the income elasticity of demand for good Z equals -5
. Which of the following is true?


Good Z is a normal good.

Option A,Good Z is a normal good.

a

Good Z must have an inelastic demand.

Option B,Good Z must have an inelastic demand.

b

An increase in income will lead to a decrease in demand.

Option C,An increase in income will lead to a decrease in demand.

c

An increase in income will lead to an increase in demand.

Option D,An increase in income will lead to an increase in demand.

d

The income effect of a price increase will be a decrease in quantity demanded at every price.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Correct answer: Option C.

Reason: Income elasticity = (%ΔQ) / (%ΔIncome) = -5 < 0, so Z is an inferior good — when income rises, quantity demanded falls. The magnitude 5 just means a large response to income changes. Options A and D are wrong (they describe normal goods), B confuses income elasticity with price inelasticity, and the last statement is false because for an inferior good the income effect of a price increase (which reduces real income) tends to raise quantity demanded, not decrease it.