Question

Suppose that over the past year, the nominal interest rate was 5 percent, the CPI was 150.3 at the end of the year, and the CPI was 144.2 at the beginning of the year. It follows that a. the dollar value of savings increased at 5 percent, and the purchasing power of savings increased at 9.2 percent. b. the dollar value of savings increased at 0.8 percent, and the purchasing power of savings increased at 5 percent. c. the dollar value of savings increased at 5 percent, and the purchasing power of savings increased at 0.8 percent. d. the dollar value of savings increased at 9.2 percent, and the purchasing power of savings increased at 5 percent.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option c.

Explanation:

The nominal interest rate was 5 percent.

The CPI was 150.3 at the end of the year, and the CPI was 144.2 at the beginning of the year.

The 5% nominal interest rate means that the dollar value of savings increased at 5%.

Inflation rate

= $\frac{(150.3 - 144.2)}{144.2}$

= 0.0423 or 4.2%

The real interest rate

= Nominal interest rate - rate of inflation

= 5 - 4.2

= 0.8%

The real interest rate of 0.8% indicates that the purchasing power of savings increased at 0.8%.