A tool designed to compute the price sensitivity of supply quantifies the responsiveness of producers to price changes. For example, if a small price increase leads to a large increase in the quantity supplied, the supply is considered elastic. This is typically calculated using percentage changes in both price and quantity supplied.
Understanding supply responsiveness is crucial for businesses making pricing decisions, policymakers evaluating market interventions, and economists analyzing market dynamics. Historical context reveals that the concept of elasticity has evolved alongside economic theory, enabling more nuanced comprehension of market behavior and resource allocation.