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Categories (Degrees) of Elasticity of Supply

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Topics

  • Introduction
  • Perfectly Elastic Supply (Es = ∞)
  • Perfectly Inelastic Supply (Es = 0)
  • Unitary Elastic Supply (Es = 1)
  • Some Other Types of Elasticity of Supply
CISCE: Class 12

Introduction

When describing how much the quantity supplied reacts to a price change, economists group elasticity of supply into five categories

CISCE: Class 12

Perfectly Elastic Supply (Es = ∞)

  • Meaning: Even a tiny increase in price leads to an infinite increase in quantity supplied. All suppliers are willing to sell any amount at a certain price but none if price falls below that.
  • Diagram: Horizontal supply curve (parallel to X-axis).
  • Analogy/Example: Consider rare, copyright-free digital goods—any quantity can be delivered at a set price instantly, but not if the price drops.​
CISCE: Class 12

Perfectly Inelastic Supply (Es = 0)

  • Meaning: The quantity supplied does not change, no matter how much the price changes.
  • Diagram: Vertical supply curve (parallel to the Y-axis).
  • Analogy/Example: A unique artwork like the Mona Lisa, or ancient coins—no matter the price, only one exists.​
CISCE: Class 12

Unitary Elastic Supply (Es = 1)

  • Meaning: The percentage change in quantity supplied is exactly equal to the percentage change in price.
  • Diagram: A straight supply curve passing through the origin at a consistent 45° angle.
  • Analogy/Example: If price rises by 10%, quantity supplied also rises by 10%.
  • Formula Highlight:
    \[E_s=\frac{\text{Percentage Change in Quantity Supplied}}{\text{Percentage Change in Price}}=1\]
CISCE: Class 12

Some Other Types of Elasticity of Supply

Term Meaning Elasticity Value Example
Elastic Quantity changes a lot when price changes > 1 Luxury goods, restaurant meals
Inelastic Quantity changes very little when price changes < 1 Salt, milk, essential medicines
More Elastic More responsive compared to another good Higher elasticity (relative) Tea is more elastic than sugar
Less Elastic Less responsive compared to another good Lower elasticity (relative) Sugar is less elastic than tea

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