The demand and supply relationships may be expressed using equations. For an introductory course, these are usually simple linear relationships, describing the relationship between the desired quantity demanded or the desired quantity supplied and the market price.

   A simple equation for a demand relationship might be the following:

   QD = 220 - 4P

   This equation gives a relationship between the desired quantity demanded, QD, and the market price, P, for some consumer or group of consumers. The consumer(s) represented by this relationship will demand 220 units of this good if it is free, and will want 4 fewer units for every unit of price increase. None will be purchased if the price is 55 or higher.

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