Final answer:
From 1985 to 2020, the nominal federal minimum wage in the U.S. increased, but its real value declined when adjusted for inflation, especially after 2010.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general trend of the unadjusted federal minimum wage from 1985 to 2020 shows that the nominal minimum wage increased from below $3.50 per hour to $7.25 per hour. However, when adjusting for inflation, the real value of the minimum wage has actually declined. Notable increases in the minimum wage occurred between 2008 and 2010, which helped prevent an even steeper decrease in its purchasing power. Since 2010, despite the nominal figure remaining the same, the real value of the minimum wage continued to decline because it did not keep pace with inflation.