The spelling of the phrase "elastic supply" can be explained through the use of IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). The word "elastic" is pronounced as /ɪˈlæstɪk/, with emphasis on the second syllable. This word is spelled with one "l" and an "i" in the second syllable, as opposed to "elastik". "Supply" is pronounced as /səˈplaɪ/, with emphasis on the second syllable. This word is spelled with a "y" instead of "i" as it is a noun form of the verb "to supply". Together, "elastic supply" represents a well-stocked market with responsive and adaptive inventory control.
Elastic supply refers to the responsiveness or sensitivity of the quantity supplied of a particular good or service to changes in its price. In other words, it is a measure of how easily and significantly the supply of a product can change in response to changes in its price. A product or service is said to have an elastic supply when a small change in price leads to a proportionally larger change in the quantity supplied.
The concept of elastic supply is an important one in the field of economics as it helps in understanding the relationship between price and supply. If a good or service has an elastic supply, producers can easily adjust their production levels in response to changes in price, enabling them to meet the demand of consumers more efficiently. This can result in a relatively smooth and stable supply of the product in the market.
On the other hand, a good or service with an inelastic supply means that the quantity supplied is unresponsive or less responsive to changes in price. This can occur when producers face challenges in adjusting their production levels quickly or when there are constraints such as limited resources or time involved in increasing production. An inelastic supply can result in price volatility, shortages or surpluses, and less efficient allocation of resources.
The etymology of the term "elastic supply" is derived from two words: "elastic" and "supply".
1. Elastic: The word "elastic" comes from the Latin word "elastica", which means "resilient" or "flexible". It is related to the Greek word "elastos", which also means "flexible". In this context, "elastic" refers to the ability to stretch or expand easily and return to its original form or size.
2. Supply: The word "supply" has its roots in the Old French word "soupleer", meaning "to complete" or "to make full". It is influenced by the Latin word "supplere", which means "to fill up". "Supply" is commonly used to refer to the quantity of goods or services that are available for purchase or consumption in the market.