In: Economics
5. Explain the effects of the following actions on equilibrium income, assuming that the marginal propensity to consume is 0.8
A. Government purchases rise by $40 billion.
B. Taxes fall by $40 billion.
Solution:
a)
Spending multiplier =1/(1-MPC)
=1/(1-0.8)
=5
Change in equilibrium income eventually =intial change in government spending * spending multiplier
=40*5
=$200 billion
the equilibrium income increases by $200 billion.
--------
b)
tax multiplier =-MPC/(1-MPC)
=-0.8/(1-0.8)
=-4
Change in equilibrium income eventually =intial change in tax * multiplier
=(-40)*(-4) .......... the negative sign shows a decrease
=$160 billion
THe equilibrium income increases by $160 billion