1. What do the CPI and the PPI measure? Why do we need both of these price indexes? (Think about what purpose you would use each one for.)
2. The consumer price index (CPI) is a fixed-weight index. It compares the price of a fixed bundle of goods in one year with the price of the same bundle of goods in some base year. Calculate the price of a bundle containing 100 units of good X, 150 units of good Y, and 25 units of good Z in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Convert the results into an index by dividing each bundle price figure by the bundle price in 2008. Calculate the percentage change in your index between 2008 and 2009 and again between 2009 and 2010. Was there inflation between 2009 and 2010?
