Other things remaining constant, the market supply for a good increase

Other things remaining constant, the market supply for a good increases if:

  • its price increases.
  • price of its factors of production decreases.
  • price of other goods decreases.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct answer is C) 2 and 3 only.
Market supply increases when the supply curve shifts to the right. Let’s analyze the statements:
1. Its price increases: An increase in the price of the good leads to an increase in the quantity supplied, causing a movement *along* the supply curve, not a shift of the entire curve.
2. Price of its factors of production decreases: Lower input costs reduce the cost of production, making the good more profitable to produce at any given price. This leads to an increase in supply, shifting the supply curve to the right.
3. Price of other goods decreases: Assuming these are substitute goods in production (producers can produce either Good A or Good B), a decrease in the price of Good B makes producing Good A relatively more profitable. Producers will shift resources towards producing Good A, increasing its supply (shifting the supply curve right).
Therefore, statements 2 and 3 describe factors that cause the market supply curve to shift to the right, indicating an increase in market supply.
Factors that can cause a shift in the supply curve include changes in input prices, technology, prices of related goods (substitutes or complements in production), expectations, government policies (taxes, subsidies), and the number of sellers. A change in the good’s own price causes only a movement along the supply curve, changing the quantity supplied.