Final answer:
Nominal GDP reflects the total market value of all final goods and services produced in a nation in a year, avoiding double counting and measured at market prices. Real GDP is adjusted for inflation to indicate true economic growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. nominal gross domestic product (GDP) is the current value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a year. It includes only final goods to avoid the mistake of double counting, where output is counted more than once as it moves through various stages of production. This calculation ensures the value of intermediate goods, like the tires on a truck, are not included separately from the final product, the truck itself. Hence, GDP is measured at the prices at which goods and services are sold, reflecting the market value of all final products and services within an economy. It’s essential to note that when referring to real GDP, the values are adjusted for inflation, providing an accurate picture of economic growth.