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UNEMPLOYED: The condition in which a resource (especially labor) is NOT actively engaged in a productive activity, but IS actively seeking employment. This general condition forms the conceptual basis for one of the three categories used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) when classifying individual's labor force status. For specific details of the BLS classification procedure, see unemployed persons. The other two BLS categories are employed persons and not in the labor force.
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                           ARC ELASTICITY: The average elasticity for discrete changes in two variables. The distinguishing characteristic of arc elasticity is that percentage changes are calculated based on the average of initial and ending values of each variable, rather than initial values. Arc elasticity is generally calculated using the midpoint elasticity formula. The contrast to arc elasticity is point elasticity. For infinitesimally small changes in two variables, arc elasticity is the same as point elasticity. Arc elasticity is best considered the average elasticity over a range of values for a relation. Like any average, some values within the range are likely to be greater and some less. However, it provides a quick approximation of elasticity when more precise and sophisticated calculation techniques are not possible.Working Through an Example| A Standard Demand Curve |  |
The demand curve displayed to the right can be used to illustrate the measurement of arc elasticity using the midpoint elasticity formula. If the price declines from $12 to $8, the quantity demanded increases from 4 to 6, from point X to point Z. Using this midpoint formula (with price designated as P and quantity designated as Q) average price elasticity of demand is:midpoint
elasticity | = | (Q[Z] - Q[X])
(Q[Z] + Q[X])/2 | ÷ | (P[Z] - P[X])
(P[Z] + P[X])/2 |
midpoint
elasticity | = | (6 - 4)
(6 + 4)/2 | ÷ | (8 - 12)
(8 + 12)/2 | = | (2)
(5) | ÷ | (-4)
(10) |
midpoint
elasticity | = | 0.4 | ÷ | -0.4 | = | -1.0 |
Ignoring the minus sign, the price elasticity of demand over this segment of the demand curve from X to Z is 1.0.An Average ValueThis value of 1.0 is actually an average for the entire range between points X and Z. Precise estimates of point elasticity shows that the elasticity is 0.67 at point X and 1.5 at point Z. Moreover, the elasticity is different at each point on a straight line demand curve such as this one. The only point in which the elasticity is exactly equal to 1.0 is at point Y, the midpoint between X and Z.This last observation is worth emphasizing. The midpoint elasticity formula effectively estimates the point elasticity at the very midpoint of the overall segment. This means that the elasticity of any point on a demand curve (point elasticity) can be obtained by calculating the arc elasticity with the midpoint elasticity formula such that the desired point is dead center in the middle, the midpoint of the arc.
Recommended Citation:ARC ELASTICITY, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2026. [Accessed: May 14, 2026].
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PINK FADFLY
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Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time lost in your local discount super center looking to buy either a birthday gift for your aunt or a pair of leather sandals that won't cause blisters. Be on the lookout for gnomes hiding in cypress trees.
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Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen were the 1st Nobel Prize winners in Economics in 1969.
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"We can't take any credit for our talents. It's how we use them that counts. " -- Madeleine L'Engle, Writer
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LBO
Leveraged Buyout
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