Class 9 SST Part 1 Chapter 9 Solutions – The Price Puzzle
Looking for accurate and complete ncert class 9 social science chapter 9 solutions for the new CBSE curriculum (2026-27)? You are in the right place! In this guide, we provide step-by-step, direct, and easy-to-understand solutions for all exercise questions from Understanding Society: India and Beyond Class 9 SST Part 1 Chapter 9: The Price Puzzle: What Drives the Market. These answers are crafted specifically to help students write clean, exam-ready answers in their notebooks without extra confusion or lengthy fluff.
Question 1
An increase in income always leads to a rise in demand for goods. Defend or refute, giving reasons for the same.
Refute: An increase in income does not always lead to a rise in demand for all goods. While it generally increases the demand for normal goods (like cars, branded clothes), it can actually decrease the demand for inferior goods (like coarse grains or low-quality products). As people get richer, they tend to switch from inferior goods to superior alternatives.
Question 2
If petrol prices double, what happens to
(a) Demand for diesel cars
(b) Demand for electric cars
(c) Demand for car accessories
(d) Demand for public transport
- (a) Demand for diesel cars: Increases (Diesel cars become a relatively cheaper alternative to petrol cars).
- (b) Demand for electric cars: Increases (People shift to non-fuel alternatives).
- (c) Demand for car accessories: Decreases (As running a car becomes expensive, overall car usage may decline).
- (d) Demand for public transport: Increases (People prefer cheaper alternatives to private vehicles).
Question 3
A farmer traditionally irrigates fields manually (labour-intensive). He installs drip irrigation (a technology upgrade) that reduces water use by 40 per cent and increases yield by 30 per cent. How does this affect
(a) His cost of production
(b) His willingness to supply at different prices
(c) The overall market supply if many farmers adopt this technology
- (a) Cost of production: Decreases, as less water and labour are required per unit of output.
- (b) Willingness to supply: Increases. At any given price, the farmer can now supply more due to higher yield.
- (c) Overall market supply: If many farmers adopt this technology, the overall market supply of the crop will increase significantly, potentially lowering the market price.
Question 4
During online festival sales, the prices of many products are very low. Use the concept of demand and supply to explain why the sellers sell at such a low price. What happens to the equilibrium when the price is lowered? Does this benefit only consumers or sellers as well? Explain.
Why low prices: Sellers offer heavy discounts to attract a massive number of buyers. By lowering prices, they create high demand and clear out their old stock quickly.
Effect on equilibrium: Lowering the price below the equilibrium price increases the quantity demanded, moving the market towards a new, higher-volume equilibrium.
Benefit: It benefits both. Consumers get goods at cheaper rates, while sellers benefit from increased sales volume, clearing inventory, and gaining new customers.
Question 5
Suppose the government sets a maximum sale price for an essential vaccine below the market-driven price. What is likely to happen? Choose from the options below and elucidate your point.
(a) Surplus (b) Shortage (c) No effect (d) Fall in demand
Correct Option: (b) Shortage
When the government sets a price ceiling below the equilibrium price, the quantity demanded will increase (because it's cheaper), but the quantity supplied will decrease (producers may not find it profitable to produce). This creates excess demand and leads to a shortage in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Based on latest NCERT class 9 book.