Question

Define: a. normal good b. inferior good c. substitute d. neutral good e. complement

Short answer

a. Normal Good: Demand increases with income increase. b. Inferior Good: Demand decreases with income increase. c. Substitute: A good that can replace another. d. Neutral Good/Necessity: Demand unaffected by income. e. Complement: A good that is consumed with another good.

Step-by-step solution

Define Normal Good

A normal good refers to any goods for which demand increases when income increases. In other words, consumers buy more of these goods when their income rises.

Define Inferior Good

An inferior good is the opposite of a normal good. It is a type of good whose demand declines when income rises. These are goods that consumers buy less of as they start earning more.

Define Substitute

A substitute in economics usually refers to a good that can replace another good to satisfy the same needs or desires. For example, if the price of coffee increases, people might begin to drink more tea. Hence, tea acts as a substitute for coffee.

Define Neutral Good

A neutral good, also known as a necessity, is one whose demand does not change with a change in consumer income. Some examples could be basic food items, clothing or medicine.

Define Complement

A complement in economics refers to a good that is consumed with another good. In other words, these are goods that are typically used together. One cannot function or is less valuable without the other. For example, a printer and printer ink are considered complements.

Key concepts

Normal Good

A normal good is a basic concept in economics that relates to how income changes affect the demand for certain products. When you earn more money, you tend to buy more of these goods. Essentially:

• Demand and income are directly related.
• As your income increases, your ability and willingness to purchase such goods also rise.
• These goods are considered desirable and can include things like dining out, high-quality foods, and nice clothing.

An easy way to remember is that these are things you feel more comfortable buying when you have extra cash. Increasing your budget allows you to improve the quality or quantity of your purchases.

Inferior Good

Contrary to normal goods, inferior goods see a decline in demand as people earn more. Imagine having extra money. You might choose to buy less of certain products that are considered lower in quality or prestige:

• As income goes up, demand for these products goes down.
• Often these are replaced by higher-quality substitutes when more money is available.
• Examples include off-brand groceries or used cars.

Inferior goods are usually seen as practical when on a tight budget but lose appeal as financial situations improve.

Substitute Goods

Substitute goods play an interesting role in economic decisions. They provide alternatives to consumers when one good becomes too expensive or less available:

• These goods can replace each other in use or consumption.
• For example, butter and margarine, or coffee and tea, can serve similar purposes.
• The availability of substitute goods often keeps prices competitive.

Understanding substitute goods helps in recognizing how price changes can affect consumer choices in everyday life.

Neutral Good

Neutral goods, also known as necessities, maintain stable demand regardless of income changes. These are essential items you need consistently:

• Demand does not fluctuate with income levels.
• Products like basic groceries, medications, or public transportation often fall into this category.
• They are crucial for day-to-day living and are usually budgeted for despite financial status.

Such goods are reliable choices and are bought out of necessity rather than luxury.

Complementary Goods

Complementary goods have a unique relationship where the use of one increases the value of another. This pairing is crucial for specific consumer choices:

• These are products used together.
• Classic examples include peanut butter and jelly, or printers and ink.
• If the demand for one good goes up, the demand for its complement likely rises as well.

Understanding complementary goods is important for recognizing how products can influence each other's market demand in different industries.