A Newspaper Story on the Effect of Higher Milk Prices

question 71

Multiple Choice

A newspaper story on the effect of higher milk prices on the market for ice cream contained the following:
"As a result [of the increase in milk prices], retail prices for ice cream are up 4 percent from last year....And ice cream consumption is down 3 percent."
Source: John Curran, "Ice Cream, They Scream: Milk Fat Costs Drive Up Ice Cream Prices," Associated Press, July 23, 2001.
Based on the information given, what is the price elasticity of demand for ice cream?

• A)0.75 (in absolute value)
• B)1.33 (in absolute value)
• C)12%
• D)We do not have enough information to calculate the elasticity.

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Definitions:

Classify

The act of organizing or sorting items into categories based on shared qualities or characteristics.

Egocentrism

The inability to differentiate between one's own perspective and another person's perspective.

Accommodation

The cognitive process of revising existing cognitive schemas, perceptions, and understanding so that new information can be incorporated.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched, a concept important in cognitive development.