Assignment task: Real versus nominal GDP (a FRED question):
Using the FRED database, locate the data on real and nominal GDP for the U.S. economy. You may notice that there are both annual and quarterly data (i.e., measures of production every 3 months) available. For the purpose of this question, let's stick with the annual data. The easy way to find this is to type "annual nominal GDP" and 'annual real GDP" into the FRED search box. (For an introduction to FRED, see the case study "The FRED Database" earlier in this chapter on page 34.)
(a) What is the value of real GDP and nominal GDP for the most recent year available? Explain why these numbers are different.
(b) What was the value of real GDP and nominal GDP in 1970?
(c) By what factor (e.g., a number like 2.0 if it doubled) did real GDP increase between 1970 and the most recent year? What about nominal GDP?
(d) What explains the difference between the two numbers in part (c)?