Beef is a normal good. You observe that both the equilibrium price and quantity of beef have fallen over time.

Which of the following explanations would be most consistent with this observation?

a. New medical evidence has been released that indicates a negative correlation between a person's beef

consumption and life expectancy.

b. The price of chicken has risen, and the price of steak sauce has fallen.

c. The demand curve for beef must be positively sloped.

d. Consumers have experienced an increase in income, and beef-production technology has improved.

d. Consumers have experienced an increase in income, and beef-production technology has improved.

Explanation:

Beef is a normal good. You observe that both the equilibrium price and quantity of beef have fallen over time.

The most likely economic explanation that would be most consistent with this observation is that Consumers have experienced an increase in income, and beef-production technology has improved.

Firstly, in relation to increase in income, as income increases certain normal goods are less demanded making them inferior goods. Hence both the equilibrium price and quantity of beef or any such product will fall over time.

In the case of beef, because of health considerations, consumers will stay away from it as their income increases because they will seek for healthier options like fish which they may not have been able to afford before.

Secondly, in relation to improved beef-production technology, beef supply will definitely increase with such improved technology, implying that supply will outweigh demand and the natural reaction will be a fall in equilibrium price.