A tool designed for calculating the responsiveness of the quantity demanded of a good or service to a change in its own price provides a numerical measure indicating whether demand is elastic (sensitive to price changes), inelastic (insensitive to price changes), or unitary. For example, a value of -2 suggests that a 1% price increase leads to a 2% decrease in quantity demanded. This metric is usually expressed as a negative number, reflecting the inverse relationship between price and quantity demanded (the law of demand).
Understanding price sensitivity is crucial for businesses in making informed decisions about pricing strategies, revenue projections, and impact assessments of potential price adjustments. Historically, comprehending and quantifying this relationship has evolved alongside economic theory, offering increasingly sophisticated methods for analysis. This knowledge allows for optimized pricing models, leading to improved profitability and market competitiveness.