
Figure 2.6 Why Pe Is the Equilibrium Price
(a) At the price
Phigh above the equilibrium price
Pe, producers supply the quantity

, while consumers demand only

. This results in an excess supply of the good, as represented by the distance between points
W and
X. Over time, price will fall and the market will move toward equilibrium at point
E.(b) At the price
Plow below the equilibrium price
Pe, producers supply the quantity

, while consumers demand

. This results in an excess demand for the good, as represented by the distance between points
Y and
Z. Over time, price will rise and the market will move toward equilibrium at point
E.