Question

A. Suppose there is a surge in consumer confidence, creating an increase in aggregate demand in the economy. The Federal Reserve estimates that a change in the money supply of $120 billion will adjust interest rates enough to offset the change in aggregate demand. If the reserve requirement is 25%, what action should the Fed take to reach the desired change in the money supply? The Fed should conduct an of $ billion.

b. Suppose there is a political crisis in Europe, causing a reduction in investment demand in the United States. To stimulate investment demand, the Federal Reserve decides the money supply needs to change by $150 billion. If the reserve requirement is 10%, what action should the Fed take to reach the desired change in the money supply?
The Fed should conduct an of $ __ billion.

Answer 1

See below.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a, first we calculate the credit multiplier of the economy,

Credit multiplier = 1 / reserve ratio

Credit multiplier = 1 / 0.25 = 4

This means that any change in money supply will be 4 times as much in the economy, hence to induce a change of $120 billion, the Fed will decrease the money supply by 120/4 = $30 billion. This will increase the interest rates just enough to stabilize aggregate demand.

For b, we again start by calculating the credit multiplier.

Credit multiplier = 1/0.10 = 10

Since the Fed want to stimulate investment, it needs to use an expansionary monetary policy.

The Fed thus increases the money supply by 150/10 = $15 billion.

This will have the total effect of 150 billion on the whole thus achieving the Fed's objectives.

Hope that helps.