# Let’s consider the effects of inflation in an economy composed of only two people: Bob, a bean farmer, and Rita, a rice farmer. Bob and Rita both always consume equal amounts of rice and beans. In 2016, the price of beans was $1 and the price of rice was$3. a. Suppose that in 2017 the price of beans was $2 and the price of rice was$6. What was inflation? Was Bob better off, worse off, or unaffected by the changes in prices? What about Rita? b. Now suppose that in 2017 the price of beans was $2 and the price of rice was$4. What was inflation? Was Bob better off, worse off, or unaffected by the changes in prices? What about Rita? c. Finally, suppose that in 2017 the price of beans was $2 and the price of rice was$1.50. What was inflation? Was Bob better off, worse off, or unaffected by the changes in prices? What about Rita? d. What matters more to Bob and Rita—the overall inflation rate or the relative price of rice and beans?

### Principles of Economics (MindTap C...

8th Edition
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 9781305585126

Chapter
Section

### Principles of Economics (MindTap C...

8th Edition
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 9781305585126
Chapter 30, Problem 5PA
Textbook Problem
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## Let’s consider the effects of inflation in an economy composed of only two people: Bob, a bean farmer, and Rita, a rice farmer. Bob and Rita both always consume equal amounts of rice and beans. In 2016, the price of beans was $1 and the price of rice was$3.a. Suppose that in 2017 the price of beans was $2 and the price of rice was$6. What was inflation? Was Bob better off, worse off, or unaffected by the changes in prices? What about Rita?b. Now suppose that in 2017 the price of beans was $2 and the price of rice was$4. What was inflation? Was Bob better off, worse off, or unaffected by the changes in prices? What about Rita?c. Finally, suppose that in 2017 the price of beans was $2 and the price of rice was$1.50. What was inflation? Was Bob better off, worse off, or unaffected by the changes in prices? What about Rita?d. What matters more to Bob and Rita—the overall inflation rate or the relative price of rice and beans?

Subpart (a):

To determine
Relative price and inflation.

### Explanation of Solution

When the price of beans in 2017 is $2 and rice is$6, the inflation rate in year 2017 is calculated as follows:

Inflation rate=Price of of one unit of goods2017Price of of one unit of goods2016Price of of one unit of goods2016×100=(2+6</

Subpart (b):

To determine
Relative price and inflation.

Subpart (c):

To determine
Relative price and inflation.

Subpart (d):

To determine
Relative price and inflation.

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