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ECLA: The Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) -the Spanish acronym is CEPAL- was established in 1948. ECLAC, which is headquartered in Santiago, Chile, is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. It was founded for the purposes of contributing to the economic development of Latin America, coordinating actions directed towards this end, and reinforcing economic relationships among the countries and with the other nations of the world. The promotion of the region's social development was later included among its primary objectives. The 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are member States of ECLAC, together with several North American and European nations that have historical, economic and cultural ties with the region.
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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 ExampleA 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, 2000-2024. [Accessed: April 25, 2024]. Check Out These Related Terms... | | | | | | Or For A Little Background... | | | | | | And For Further Study... | | | | | |
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ORANGE REBELOON [What's This?]
Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time surfing the Internet trying to buy either a computer that can play video games and burn DVDs or a black duffle bag with velcro closures. Be on the lookout for rusty deck screws. Your Complete Scope
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A lump of pure gold the size of a matchbox can be flattened into a sheet the size of a tennis court!
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"Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly and get on with improving your other innovations. " -- Steve Jobs, Apple Computer founder
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JEMS Journal of Economics and Management Strategy
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