Which of the following is NOT a component involved in calculating consumer surplus?

Consumer surplus is defined as the difference between what consumers are willing to pay for a good or service and what they actually pay. To calculate consumer surplus, two key components are involved: the base and the height. The base typically refers to the quantity of goods purchased, while the height represents the difference between the maximum price consumers are willing to pay (indicated by the demand curve) and the market price they actually pay.

The market price, which is the price at which goods are sold in the market, is indeed relevant to the calculation of consumer surplus, as it directly affects the height of the consumer surplus triangle. Similarly, the equilibrium quantity plays a role in determining the area representing consumer surplus but is not a standalone component in the basic formula itself.

Therefore, the market price is a part of the calculation process rather than something that wouldn’t be considered. The correct answer identifies that consumer surplus does not involve a specific component labeled as "equilibrium quantity" since it is generally not expressed in the fundamental formula for consumer surplus. Instead, equilibrium quantity indicates how much quantity is traded but is not a component necessary to derive consumer surplus directly.