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Social Sciences and History / Unit 13   SSH 1212 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Equilibrium, Shortage, Surplus

Captions available

The idea

Equilibrium is where the supply and demand curves cross: quantity demanded equals quantity supplied. Below the equilibrium price, quantity demanded exceeds quantity supplied: excess demand, a shortage. Above it, quantity supplied exceeds quantity demanded: excess supply, a surplus. Either pushes price back.

In practice

Empty shelves below; unsold stock above.

Where people slip

Surplus here means unsold goods, not consumer surplus.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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