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Movement along the Demand Curve and Shift of the Demand Curve - Change in Demand – Shift in Demand Curve

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Topics

  • Introduction
  • Law of Demand vs. Change in Demand
  • Types
  • Main Causes
  • Real-Life Application
  • Key Point Summary
CISCE: Class 12

Introduction

change in demand means people want to buy more or less of a product at each price because something other than the product’s own price changes. The whole demand curve either shifts right (increase) or left (decrease). This is different from movement along the curve, which only happens if the product’s own price changes.

CISCE: Class 12

Law of Demand vs. Change in Demand

Aspect Law of Demand Change in Demand
Meaning As price increases, quantity demanded decreases, and vice versa—assuming other factors stay constant​. Shift of the entire demand curve due to changes in factors like income, tastes, or prices of other goods (not price itself)​.
Visual/Chart Movement along same demand curve Shift to a new demand curve
Example Price falls, you buy more Your income rises, you buy more at every price​
CISCE: Class 12

Types

1) Increase in Demand: The demand curve shifts right; at any given price, people buy more.​
Example: When income rises, at ₹100/kg, the household buys 2 kg (up from 1 kg).

2) Decrease in Demand: The demand curve shifts left; at the same price, people buy less.​
Example: If income drops or trends change, buy only 1 kg at ₹100/kg (down from 2 kg).

CISCE: Class 12

Main Causes

1) Change in consumer income (normal goods: income ↑, demand ↑; inferior goods: income ↑, demand ↓)
2) Change in tastes, fashions, or preferences
3) Change in prices of related goods:

  • Substitute goods (e.g., if Pepsi becomes expensive, Coke demand may increase)
  • Complementary goods (e.g., fall in price of smartphones may increase demand for mobile apps)

4) Change in population size
5) Expectation of future price increases

CISCE: Class 12

Real-Life Application

  • More students in a city → School uniform demand increases
  • Social media trend for a product → Suddenly everyone wants it, even if the price is unchanged
  • Summer heat → Higher demand for ice cream at all price points (seasonal demand shift)
  • New job/income raise → People buy better branded goods, not just more of the same.
CISCE: Class 12

Key Point Summary

  • Change in Demand = Curve Shifts: Caused by factors like income, taste, population, and related goods' prices (not the product's own price).
  • Law of Demand = Movement Along Curve: Only own price changes, all else constant.
  • Increase in Demand: The Entire curve shifts right (more at each price).
  • Decrease in Demand: The Entire curve shifts left (less at each price).

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