Using the graph and definitions below of the supply of loanable funds, SLF, and the demand for loanable funds, DLF, discuss the following:
a. What is meant by the equilibrium nominal rate of interest?
b. Illustrate and discuss how an autonomous increase in the expected rate of inflation will change the equilibrium nominal interest rate. Express your discussion in terms of the effect on the supply and demand for loanable funds. Consider an initial real rate of interest of 3 percent and an expected inflation rate of 3 percent. If the expected rate of inflation rises to 4 percent with the real interest rate constant, what would the resulting nominal interest rate become in equilibrium using the Fisher relationship? Assume that investors believe the rise in the expected rate of inflation will remain at the higher level indefinitely.
c. Starting from an equilibrium position as in a, discuss the effects of a tightening monetary policy if the markets believe that a Fed tightening will lower future (next period) inflation. How might a recession occur under this scenario? HINTS: Recall the Fisher relationship where (1+i) = (1+r)(1+pe), where i is the nominal interest rate, r is the required real rate of return before taxes, and pe is the expected rate of inflation.

Question

Using the graph and definitions below of the supply of loanable funds, SLF, and the demand for loanable funds, DLF, discuss the following:
a. What is meant by the equilibrium nominal rate of interest?
b. Illustrate and discuss how an autonomous increase in the expected rate of inflation will change the equilibrium nominal interest rate. Express your discussion in terms of the effect on the supply and demand for loanable funds. Consider an initial real rate of interest of 3 percent and an expected inflation rate of 3 percent. If the expected rate of inflation rises to 4 percent with the real interest rate constant, what would the resulting nominal interest rate become in equilibrium using the Fisher relationship? Assume that investors believe the rise in the expected rate of inflation will remain at the higher level indefinitely.
c. Starting from an equilibrium position as in a, discuss the effects of a tightening monetary policy if the markets believe that a Fed tightening will lower future (next period) inflation. How might a recession occur under this scenario? HINTS: Recall the Fisher relationship where (1+i) = (1+r)(1+pe), where i is the nominal interest rate, r is the required real rate of return before taxes, and pe is the expected rate of inflation.

		the discovery of new and better roundabout methods of production.
		a lower rate of time preference in society.
		a lower interest rate.
		a higher interest rate.
		a and c

		All persons have a high rate of time preference.
		People with a high rate of time preference are more likely to be borrowers than people with a low rate of time preference.
		People with a high rate of time preference are more likely to be lenders than people with a low rate of time preference.
		A high interest rate is the cause of a high rate of time preference.
		none of the above

		The nominal interest rate is always higher than the real interest rate since the nominal interest rate equals the real interest rate plus the expected inflation rate.
		The nominal interest rate is always lower than the real interest rate since the nominal interest rate equals the real interest rate minus the expected inflation rate.
		The nominal interest rate can equal the real interest rate, but to do so the expected inflation rate must be zero percent.
		It is the nominal interest rate-not the real interest rate-that matters to borrowers.

		the supply and demand for loanable funds will decrease.
		the supply and demand for loanable funds will increase.
		the supply of loanable funds will decrease, and the demand for loanable funds will increase.
		the supply of loanable funds will increase, and the demand for loanable funds will decrease.

		the demand for loanable funds curve will shift rightward, and the supply of loanable funds curve will shift leftward.
		the demand for loanable funds curve will shift leftward, and the supply of loanable funds curve will shift rightward.
		both the demand for loanable funds curve and the supply of loanable funds curve will shift leftward.
		both the demand for loanable funds curve and the supply of loanable funds curve will shift rightward.

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		The administrative costs per dollar are greater for a large loan than a small loan.
		The risk on a long-term loan is likely to be less than on a short-term loan, ceteris paribus.
		a and b
		none of the above

		borrow in the loanable funds market and invest in capital goods, and as this happens, the quantity of capital decreases and its return rises.
		borrow in the loanable funds market and invest in capital goods, and as this happens, the quantity of capital increases and its return falls.
		not borrow in the loanable funds market, and over time the capital stock will decrease and the return on capital will fall.
		not borrow in the loanable funds market, and over time the capital stock will decrease and the return on capital will rise.

		the payment a renter pays his or her landlord.
		payment in excess of fixed costs.
		payment in excess of opportunity costs.
		the same as interest if we are discussing a capital good purchase.
		none of the above

		Nobody loses, because the terms were set before the inflation rate increased, and once the terms are set, inflation does not affect the situation.
		You lose, because the dollars that you have borrowed are worth more the higher the inflation rate.
		The banker loses, because you will be paying back the loan with dollars that are worth less than the dollars you borrowed.
		Both the banker and you lose, for the reasons in answers b and c.
		There is not enough information to answer the question.

		decrease the real interest rate by 2 percentage points.
		decrease the real interest rate by 3 percentage points.
		increase the nominal interest rate by 2 percentage points.
		decrease the nominal interest rate by 2 percentage points.