Assume the market for widgets can be described by the given equations:
Demand: P = 10 - Q Supply: P = Q - 4
Here P refers to the price in dollars per unit and Q refers to the quantity in thousands of units.
Describe equilibrium price and quantity?
To determine the equilibrium price and quantity, equate supply and demand and solve out for QEQ:
10 - Q = Q - 4, or QEQ = 7.
Substitute QEQ in either the demand equation or the supply equation to get PEQ.
PEQ = 10 - 7 = 3,
or
PEQ = 7 - 4 = 3.