Question

Suppose that consumers become more pessimistic about the future and, as a result, reduce their consumption by $10 billion. If the marginal propensity to consume is 0.80, how will this $10 billion reduction in consumption affect the equilibrium level of real GDP? Group of answer choices Real GDP will decrease by $8 billion. Real GDP will decrease by $10 billion. Real GDP will decrease by $40 billion. Real GDP will decrease by $50 billion.

Answer 1

Real GDP will decrease by $50 billion.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to calculate the net effect of a reduction in consumption of $10 billion, we need to identify the multiplier first.

Multiplier = 1 / marginal propensity to save

Marginal propensity = 1 - marginal propensity to consume = 1-0.8 = 0.2

Multiplier = 1 /0.2 = 5

The net change then of a reduction by 10 billion = 10 * 5 = $50 billion

Hope that helps.