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NotesEconomicsTopic 2.1Movements vs shifts of demand
Back to Economics Topics
2.1.47 min read

Movements vs shifts of demand

IB Economics · Unit 2

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Contents

  1. 1Two pictures, two names
  2. 2Say it with the right words
  3. 3Why demand and price change together
  4. 4Exam-style question

You met the two pictures in 2.1.2. Each one has its own words, and the exam checks them.

Two pictures, two names

1

The good's own price changes

The price of bubble tea rises, so students want less of it.

Movement along · quantity demanded
2

Anything else changes

Students earn more, so they want more bubble tea at every price.

Shift · demand

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Remember it as: Price moves you along: quantity demanded. Everything else moves the line: demand.

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Use the right word: it tells the reader which picture you mean.

Wrong or right?

1

"The price fell, so demand rose"

A price change never shifts the curve.

Wrong
2

"The price fell, so quantity demanded rose"

A movement along the curve.

Right
3

"Incomes rose, so quantity demanded rose"

Income shifts the whole curve.

Wrong
4

"Incomes rose, so demand rose"

A shift to the right.

Right

The points to remember

  • Movement along the curve: say quantity demanded.
  • Shift of the curve: say demand.

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Why does a rise in demand push the price up, while a rise in the price cuts quantity demanded? Supply, what sellers offer at each price, shows why.

Scenario 1: demand rises

  • Students start weekend jobs and earn more.
  • A shortage appears, so the price is bid up.

Our example (made-up numbers)

Price€6€7
Buyers want before (D1)4030
Buyers want after (D2)6050
Sellers offer (S)4050

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Scenario 2: the price rises

  • A poor tea harvest raises the café's costs: supply falls and the price rises.
  • Demand does not move: quantity demanded falls along it.

Our example (made-up numbers)

Price€6€7
Buyers want (D)4030
Sellers offer before (S1)4050
Sellers offer after (S2)2030

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Paper 1 asked this in November 2024, as part (a) for 10 marks.

IB-style questionExplain[10 marks]

Explain why an increase in the demand for a good would normally lead to an increase in its price, while an increase in the price of a good would normally lead to less of it being demanded.

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What the diagrams must show

  • Two diagrams, each with P and Q axes.
  • Diagram 1: S, D1 → D2 to the right, P1 → P2 and Q1 → Q2.
  • Diagram 2: D, S1 → S2 to the left, the price rising and Q1 → Q2 along D.
  • Say shortage in half 1 and quantity demanded in half 2.

How the 10 marks are given

MarksWhat your answer needs
9–10Both parts fully explained, terms used correctly all the way through, the diagram included and fully explained
7–8Both parts explained, terms mostly right, the diagram included and explained
5–6Partly explained, some terms, the diagram included
6 at mostOnly one of the two parts answered, however good it is

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how an increase in income affects demand for a normal good. [2 marks]

Related Economics Topics

Continue learning with these related topics from the same unit:

2.1.1The law of demand2.1.2Determinants of demand2.1.3Substitutes and complements2.2.1The law of supply
View all Economics topics
Improve your exam techniqueCommand terms, paper structure, and mark-scheme tips for Economics
Previous2.1.3Substitutes and complementsNextThe law of supply2.2.1

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