"For a Given Supply Curve, the Excess Burden of a Tax

question 172

Multiple Choice

"For a given supply curve, the excess burden of a tax will be greater when the demand for a product is less elastic than when the demand is more elastic." This statement is

• A)correct.
• B)incorrect because the incidence of the tax, not the burden of the tax, is affected by the elasticity of demand.
• C)incorrect. When demand is less elastic, the burden of the tax is smaller than when the demand is more elastic.
• D)incorrect. The statement confuses demand with quantity demanded.

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Definitions:

Aggregate Demand

The aggregate requirement for all products and services within an economy, measured at a specific overall price level and during a certain time frame.

U.S. Government Securities

Financial instruments issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or other federal government agencies to finance federal spending, including Treasury bonds, notes, and bills.

Bank Reserves

The amounts of funds that a bank holds in its reserve account with the central bank or as cash in vault, to meet any sudden withdrawals.

Market Rate

The prevailing price or interest rate at which goods, services, or securities are bought and sold in a competitive marketplace.