Inefficiency of Price Floors and Price Ceilings

Now, let's attempt several practical problems related to price controls. Answer the "Try It" questions here.

Summary

Consumer surplus is the gap between the price that consumers are willing to pay, based on their preferences, and the market equilibrium price. Producer surplus is the gap between the price for which producers are willing to sell a product, based on their costs, and the market equilibrium price. Social surplus is the sum of consumer surplus and producer surplus. Social surplus is greater at the equilibrium quantity and price than it will be at any other quantity and price. Deadweight loss is loss in social surplus that occurs when the economy produces at an inefficient quantity.