Question

In the country of Wiknam, the velocity of money is constant. Real GDP grows by 3 percent per year, the money stock grows by 8 percent per year, and the nominal interest rate is 9 percent. What is

a. the growth rate of nominal GDP?
b. the inflation rate?
c. the real interest rate?

Answer 1

(a) 8%

(b) 5%

(c) 4%

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the classical quantity theory of money,

Money supply × Velocity = Price Level × Real GDP

Money supply denoted by M

Velocity is denoted by V

Price level is denoted by P

Real GDP is denoted by Y

Therefore,

Change in M + Change in V = Change in P + Change in Y

Since, we know that V is constant, so V = 0

∴ Change in M = Change in P + Change in Y

(a) Nominal GDP = Price × Real GDP

Change in P + Change in Y = Change in Nominal GDP = Change in M

Change in M = 8%, it is given in the question.

Therefore, Change in Nominal GDP = 8%

(b) Change in M = Change in P + Change in Y

8% = Change in P + 3%

Change in P = 8% - 3%

= 5%

We know that change in price level is the inflation rate. Hence, the inflation rate is equal to the 5%.

(c) Real interest rate is the difference between the nominal interest rate and the inflation rate.

Real interest rate = Nominal interest rate - Inflation rate

= 9% - 5%

= 4%