Chapter 9: Q. 32 (page 243)
Do you think perfect indexing is possible? Why or why not?
Short Answer
Perfect indexing is not possible as there is no measure efficient enough to calculate accurate inflation.
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Chapter 9: Q. 32 (page 243)
Do you think perfect indexing is possible? Why or why not?
Perfect indexing is not possible as there is no measure efficient enough to calculate accurate inflation.
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The Consumer Price Index is subject to the substitution bias and the quality/new goods bias. Are the Producer Price Index and the GDP Deflator also subject to these biases? Why or why not?
Given the federal budget deficit in recent years,
some economists have argued that by adjusting Social Security payments for inflation using the CPI, Social Security is overpaying recipients. What is their argument, and do you agree or disagree with it?
22. Inflation rates, like most statistics, are imperfect
measures. Can you identify some ways that the inflation rate for fruit does not perfectly capture the rising price of fruit?
Imagine that the government statisticians who calculate the inflation rate have been updating the basic basket of goods once every 10 years, but now they decide to update it every five years. How will this change affect the amount of substitution bias and quality/new goods bias?
Edna is living in a retirement home where most of her needs are taken care of, but she has some discretionary spending. Based on the basket of goods in Table 9.5, by what percentage does Edna’s cost of living increase between
time 1 and time 2?

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