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A single woman attorney hires a local firm to mow the grass, rake the leaves, and trim
the rose bushes. After several years, she and the owner of the lawn service fall madly in
love and get married. After the honeymoon, her new husband takes care of the yard
maintenance, and she no longer pays his company the monthly fee. What has happened
to GDP, holding everything else constant?
Why do economists bother to compute real GDP? Why can’t we just compare nominal
GDP from one year to the next?
Use the following to answer questions 383-384:
(Table: Gadget GDP in Rayistan) Use Table: Gadget GDP in Rayistan. Why is real
GDP per capita used as a measure of a country’s standard of living? What are some of
the limitations of using real GDP as the only measure of a country’s quality of life?
(Table: Gadget GDP in Rayistan) Use Table: Gadget GDP in Rayistan. Rayistan is a
small nation that produces only one good, the gadget. The table shows production and
prices of gadgets for two consecutive years, as well as the population of Rayistan.
a. Compute nominal GDP in 2010 and 2011.
b. Compute real GDP in 2010 and 2011.
c. Has Rayistan’s standard of living, as measured by real GDP per capita, increased,
decreased, or stayed the same?
Suppose Elmer Brown is campaigning for reelection as governor of his state. He claims
that during his first term the state’s citizens are 50% better off, since GDP has increased
from $10 billion to $15 billion. Why might his claim be misguided?
Suppose the consumer price index was 180.5 last year and this year is 202.2. What is the
rate of inflation between last year and this year? What is the rate of inflation between
the base year and this year?