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Homework answers / question archive / Assume that an economy is characterized by the following equations: C = 100 + (2/3)(Y - T); T = 600; G = 500; I = 800 - (50/3)r; Ms/P = Md/P = 0
Assume that an economy is characterized by the following equations: C = 100 + (2/3)(Y - T); T = 600; G = 500; I = 800 - (50/3)r; Ms/P = Md/P = 0.5Y - 50r. (a.) Write the numerical IS curve for the economy, expressing Y as a numerical function of G, T, and r. (b.) Write the numerical LM curve for this economy, expressing r as a function of Y and M/P. (c.) Solve for the equilibrium values of Y and r, assuming P = 1.0 and M = 1,200. How do they change when P = 2.0? Check by computing C, I, and G. (d.) Write the numerical aggregate demand curve for this economy, expressing Y as a function of G, T, and M/P.
(a.) The equation for the IS curve is found by substituting expressions for aggregate demand into the equation for Y:
The IS curve plots Y against r in an inverse relationship. It shows all combinations of aggregate output (Y) and r for which the real sector is in equilibrium--that is, all combinations for which aggregate demand for output equals aggregate supply of output. The position of the IS curve is determined by the autonomous component (ie., 3,000). When r is 0, Y is 3,000. This can be confirmed from the full expression for Y:
For different values of r, there will be different levels of equilibrium Y.
It is possible to express the IS curve with G and T (as well as r) identified separately as independent variables as follows:
This shows explicitly the effect of the two government policy variables on the combinations of Y and r that are compatible with equilibrium in the real sector of the economy.
(b.) The LM curve shows combinations of Y and r for which the monetary sector is in equilibrium--that is, for which the real money supply equals real money demand. We are told that:
Because of this equality, we can simply use M/P and write:
which is the LM equation.
The LM equation shows that the rate of interest is positively related to Y and negatively related to the real quantity of money. The positive relationship with Y occurs because of the transactions demand for money--that is, as Y increases, consumers and firms need larger quantities to facilitate transactions. The negative relationship with r occurs because as interest rates increase, the opportunity cost of holding non-interest-bearing cash increases so that consumers and firms economize on cash balances and switch part of their holdings to such interest-bearing instruments as savings deposits and bonds.
(c.) Using the LM equation, we can derive an expression for r in terms of Y:
Using this equation to substitute for r in the IS equation, we can solve for equilibrium Y:
So, the equilibrium level of Y is 2,800.
Plugging this equilibrium level of Y into the LM curve and using the values given for P (1.0) and M (1,200), we can solve for equilibrium r:
So, the equilibrium rate of interest is 4%.
We can check on the validity of the values for equilibrium Y (2,800) and r (4%) by applying them in the equation for aggregate output:
So the values are confirmed.
If P is 2.0 instead of 1.0, then solving the LM equation for r gives:
Using this equation to substitute for r in the IS equation to solve for equilibrium Y:
So, the new equilibrium level of Y is 2,400.
Plugging this into the LM curve and using the original value for M (1,200) and the new value for P (2.0), we can again solve for equilibrium r:
So, the new equilibrium rate of interest is 12%. Doubling the price index halved the real value of the money supply and drove interest rates up dramatically.
We can again check on the validity of the values for equilibrium Y (2,400) and r (12%) by again applying them in the equation for aggregate output:
So the values are confirmed again in this case.
(d.) Assuming P still equals 2.0, to write the numerical aggregate demand equation for the economy, we solve both the IS and the Lm curves for r and then equate them and solve for Y as a function of M/P, G and T. From the IS curve:
From the LM curve, we have:
Equating the two equations and solving for Y:
Breaking the government policy instruments G and T out of the constant term gives:
which is the aggregate demand curve.
That it is correct can be confirmed by substituting values in for the variables: