Question

What is the difference between demand and quantity demanded?

Short answer

Demand refers to the overall desire, willingness, and ability of consumers to purchase a product, represented by the whole demand curve. Quantity demanded is a specific point on this demand curve that consumers are willing and able to purchase at a given price. A change in demand means the entire curve shifts, while a change in quantity demanded is just a movement along the existing curve.

Step-by-step solution

Define Demand

Demand in economics, refers to the desire, willingness, and ability of consumers to purchase a good or service at various prices during a specific time period. It is represented by the entire demand curve, which shows how changes in price affect the quantity of the product that consumers are willing and able to buy.

Define Quantity Demanded

Quantity demanded, on the other hand, refers to a specific point on the demand curve. It is the amount of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to purchase at a particular price. When price changes, it results in movement along the demand curve, leading to a change in quantity demanded.

Highlight the Difference

The main difference between demand and quantity demanded is that demand refers to the entire demand curve while quantity demanded is a specific point on the demand curve. Changes in demand implies a shift of the entire demand curve, either to the right (increase in demand) or to the left (decrease in demand). Changes in quantity demanded, however, are represented by movements along the curve, either upwards or downwards, as a result of changes in price.