UPSC Prelims 2021·GS1·economy·basic concepts

Consider the following statements: Other things remaining unchanged, market demand for a good might increase if 1. price of its substitute increases 2. price of its complement increases 3. the good is an inferior good and income of the consumers increases 4. its price falls Which of the above statements are correct?

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  1. A1 and 4 onlyCorrect
  2. B2, 3 and 4
  3. C1, 3 and 4
  4. D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The question asks what factors might increase the market demand for a good, assuming 'other things remaining unchanged' (ceteris paribus). Statement 1: If the price of its substitute increases, consumers will find the substitute relatively more expensive and shift their preference towards the good in question, thereby increasing its demand. This statement is correct. Statement 2: If the price of its complement increases, the complementary good becomes more expensive. Since the good in question is typically consumed together with its complement, the demand for the complement will fall, and consequently, the demand for the good in question will also fall. This statement is incorrect. Statement 3: If the good is an inferior good and the income of the consumers increases, the demand for that inferior good will decrease. Consumers, with higher incomes, tend to shift from inferior goods to superior (normal) goods. This statement is incorrect. Statement 4: According to the law of demand, if the price of a good falls, its quantity demanded will increase, assuming all other factors affecting demand remain constant. This statement is correct. Therefore, statements 1 and 4 are correct.
economy: Consider the following statements: Other things remaining unchanged, market demand for a good might increase if 1. price

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