91Ó°ÊÓ

To compute the expected unemployment rate, we'll use the weighted mean formula, which is given by: $$Expected \, Unemployment \, Rate = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n}(w_i \cdot x_i)}{\sum_{i=1}^{n}w_i}$$ where \(w_i\) represents the weight (number of economists) for each unemployment rate prediction \(x_i\) and \(n\) is the total number of different unemployment rates predicted.

Using the data from the table, we have: Weighted Sum = \((2 \times 4.5) + (4 \times 4.6) + (8 \times 4.7) + (20 \times 4.8) + (14 \times 4.9) + (12 \times 5.0) + (4 \times 5.1)\) Total Weight = \(2 + 4 + 8 + 20 + 14 + 12 + 4\) Now, substitute these values into the weighted mean formula: \(Expected \, Unemployment \, Rate = \frac{Weighted \, Sum}{Total \, Weight}\) \(Expected \, Unemployment \, Rate = \frac{(2 \times 4.5) + (4 \times 4.6) + (8 \times 4.7) + (20 \times 4.8) + (14 \times 4.9) + (12 \times 5.0) + (4 \times 5.1)}{2 + 4 + 8 + 20 + 14 + 12 + 4}\) \(Expected \, Unemployment \, Rate = \frac{9 + 18.4 + 37.6 + 96 + 68.6 + 60 + 20.4}{64}\) \(Expected \, Unemployment \, Rate = \frac{309.6}{64}\) \(Expected \, Unemployment \, Rate ≈ 4.8375\)

Based on the panel's predictions, the expected average unemployment rate for the upcoming year is approximately 4.8375%.