Question

all of the following factors will shift supply of a good or service except:
a. the number of suppliers.
b. changes in resource prices.
c. price expectations.
d. the number of substitute goods.
e. complementary goods.

Explanation:

To determine the factor that does not shift supply, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The number of suppliers affects how much of a good is available in the market, so it shifts the supply curve.
• Option B: Changes in resource prices (e.g., cost of raw materials) impact production costs, which in turn affects the quantity suppliers are willing to produce at each price, shifting the supply curve.
• Option C: Price expectations of suppliers (e.g., expecting future price increases) can lead them to adjust current production levels, shifting the supply curve.
• Option D: The number of substitute goods relates to the demand for a good (as consumers may switch to substitutes), not the supply. Supply is about how much producers offer, while substitutes affect demand.
• Option E: Complementary goods also relate to demand (e.g., demand for printers affects demand for ink cartridges), not supply. However, among the options, the most direct factor related to demand (and thus not a supply shifter) is the number of substitute goods, but wait—actually, complementary goods also affect demand. Wait, no—let's re - check. The question is about factors that shift supply. Supply shifters include input costs (B), number of sellers (A), expectations (C). Substitute goods (D) and complementary goods (E) affect the demand for the good, not the supply. But the question is asking for the one that does NOT shift supply. Wait, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, no—let's recall: Supply shifters are things like technology, input prices, number of sellers, expectations, taxes/subsidies, etc. Demand shifters include income, prices of related goods (substitutes, complements), tastes, expectations, number of buyers. So both D and E are demand shifters. But the question is a multiple - choice with one answer? Wait, maybe the question has a typo, but looking at the options, the number of substitute goods (D) and complementary goods (E) are demand - side factors. But perhaps the intended answer is D? Wait, no—wait, the question says "All of the following factors will shift supply... EXCEPT". Let's re - evaluate each:

• A: Number of suppliers—more suppliers mean more supply, shifts supply.
• B: Resource prices—if resource prices rise, supply decreases (shifts left), so it shifts supply.
• C: Price expectations—if suppliers expect higher prices in the future, they may supply less now, shifting supply.
• D: Number of substitute goods—this affects how consumers respond to price changes (demand), not how much producers supply. So it does not shift supply.
• E: Complementary goods—affects demand (e.g., if the price of a complement falls, demand for the good may rise), not supply. But the question is likely designed to have one answer. Maybe there is a mistake in the options, but among the options, the number of substitute goods is a demand - related factor and does not shift supply. Wait, but complementary goods also don't shift supply. However, in typical economics questions, the number of substitute goods is a more direct demand shifter, and it is the factor that does not shift supply.

Answer:

D. The number of substitute goods.