Concept of Demand
In economics, demand refers to the quantity of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to purchase at various prices during a given period. The relationship between the price of a good and the quantity demanded is typically represented by the demand curve. Here’s a description of the concept of demand, along with a demand curve diagram:
Law of Demand:
The law of demand is a fundamental principle in economics that states: All else being equal, as the price of a good or service decreases, the quantity demanded for that good or service increases, and as the price increases, the quantity demanded decreases.
Demand Schedule:
A demand schedule is a table that shows the relationship between the price of a good and the quantity demanded at different price levels. It demonstrates how the quantity demanded changes as the price varies.
Example of a demand schedule:
| Price (in $) | Quantity Demanded |
| $5 | 100 |
| $4 | 120 |
| $3 | 150 |
| $2 | 200 |
| $1 | 250 |
Demand Curve:
A demand curve is a graphical representation of the demand schedule. It shows the relationship between the price of a good (on the vertical axis) and the quantity demanded (on the horizontal axis).
The demand curve typically slopes downward from left to right, reflecting the law of demand. As the price decreases, the quantity demanded increases, and vice versa.
Here is a simplified demand curve:
The demand curve is negatively sloped, illustrating that as the price of the good decreases from P1 to P2, the quantity demanded increases from Q1 to Q2.
Factors Affecting Demand:
Various factors can shift the entire demand curve, causing changes in the quantity demanded at every price level. These factors include changes in consumer preferences, income, population, the prices of related goods (substitutes and complements), and expectations about future prices.
If any of these factors change, the entire demand curve can shift to the left (decreasing demand) or to the right (increasing demand).
An increase in demand shifts the curve to the right, leading to higher quantities demanded at all price levels. Conversely, a decrease in demand shifts the curve to the left, leading to lower quantities demanded at all price levels.
In summary, the concept of demand in economics relates to the quantity of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to buy at different prices. The demand curve visually represents this relationship, and it follows the law of demand, showing an inverse relationship between price and quantity demanded. Shifts in the demand curve are driven by various factors affecting consumer behavior and preferences.
