Final answer:
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of inflation that U.S. government statisticians calculate based on the price level from a fixed basket of goods and services that represents the average consumer's purchases. It is used to track changes in the cost of living over time and helps government, businesses, and individuals make economic decisions and form monetary and fiscal policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of inflation that U.S. government statisticians calculate based on the price level from a fixed basket of goods and services that represents the average consumer's purchases. It is a measure of all prices in the economy and is used to track changes in the cost of living over time. The CPI is important because it helps government, businesses, and individuals make economic decisions and form monetary and fiscal policies.