Find the flaws in reasoning in the following statements, paying particular
attention to the distinction between shifts of and movements along the supply
and demand curves. Draw a diagram to illustrate what actually happens in each
situation.
a. "A technological innovation that lowers the cost of producing a good might
seem at first to result in a reduction in the price of the good to consumers.
But a fall in price will increase demand for the good, and higher demand will
send the price up again. It is not certain, therefore, that an innovation will
really reduce price in the end."
b. "A study shows that eating a clove of garlic a day can help prevent heart
disease, causing many consumers to demand more garlic. This increase in demand
results in a rise in the price of garlic. Consumers, seeing that the price of
garlic has gone up, reduce their demand for garlic. This causes the demand for
garlic to decrease and the price of garlic to fall. Therefore, the ultimate
effect of the study on the price of garlic is uncertain."