To determine which price control resulted in a shortage of 300,000 apartments, we need to analyze the provided data in the context of price ceilings and price floors.
A price ceiling is a maximum price set by the government that is below the equilibrium price, leading to a shortage because it keeps prices low and increases quantity demanded while decreasing quantity supplied.
A price floor is a minimum price set by the government above the equilibrium price, leading to a surplus because it keeps prices high, resulting in decreased quantity demanded and increased quantity supplied.
Looking at the data:
- At a price of $1,000, the quantity demanded is 600,000 and the quantity supplied is 300,000. This leads to a shortage of 300,000 (600,000 - 300,000 = 300,000).
- At a price of $1,500, the quantity demanded is 500,000 and the quantity supplied is 500,000. There is no shortage or surplus.
- At a price of $2,000, the quantity demanded is 400,000 and the quantity supplied is 700,000, which leads to a surplus.
- At a price of $2,500, the quantity demanded is 300,000 and the quantity supplied is 900,000, which also indicates a surplus.
Since a shortage of 300,000 apartments occurs at the price of $1,000, which is below the equilibrium price (established at $1,500), this indicates that a price ceiling of $1,000 was implemented.
Thus, the correct response is: a price ceiling of $1,000.