Imagine that you work for the maker of a leading brand of low-calorie, frozen microwavable food that estimates the following demand equation for its product using data from 26 supermarkets around the country for the month of April.

Note:The following is a regression equation. Standard errors are in parentheses.

Q_D =    -2,000 – 100P + 15A + 25PX + 10Y

(5,234) (2.29) (525) (1.75) (1.5

R2 = 0.85    n = 26      F = 35.25

Your supervisor has asked you to compute the elasticities for each independent variable. Assume the following values for the independent variables:

  Q_D                              = Quantity demanded of a unit (dependent variable)
   P (in cents)                = 200 cents per unit (price per unit)
   PX (in cents)              = 300 cents per unit (price of leading competitor’s product)
   Y (in dollars)              = $5,000 (per capita income in the Standard Metropolitan Statistical

Area (SMSA) where the 26 supermarkets are located)

 A (in dollars)                = $640 (monthly advertising expenditures)

Write a four to six (4-6) page paper in which you:

1. Compute the elasticities for each independent variable. Note: Write down all of your calculations.

2. Determine the implications for each of the computed elasticities for the business in terms of short-term and long-term pricing strategies. Provide a rationale in which you cite your results.

3. Recommend whether you believe that this firm should or should not cut its price to increase its market share. Provide support for your recommendation.

4. Assume that all the factors affecting demand in this model remain the same, but that the price has changed. Further assume that the prices are 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 cents.

Plot the demand curve for the firm.

Plot the corresponding supply curve on the same graph using the following MC / supply function (with the same prices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and  600 cents):

Q_S = -7909.89 + 79.0989P

Determine the equilibrium price and quantity.

Outline the significant factors that could cause changes in supply and demand for the product. Determine the primary manner in which both the short-term and the long-term changes in market conditions could impact the demand for, and the supply, of the product.

 5. Indicate the crucial factors that could cause rightward shifts and leftward shifts of the demand and supply curves.

6.Must consist of 3 sources.