Answer:
(a) 10.4%; 16.73%
(b) 6.33%
Explanation:
Given that,
Wages paid to the workers in 2016 = $25 per hour
Price level in 2016 = 241
Wages paid to the workers in 2017 = $41 per hour
Price level in 2017 = 245
Real wage rate in 2016:
= (Nominal wages ÷ Price level) × 100
= ($25 ÷ 241) × 100
= 0.104 × 100
= 10.4%
Real wage rate in 2017:
= (Nominal wages ÷ Price level) × 100
= ($41 ÷ 245) × 100
= 0.1673 × 100
= 16.73%
Therefore, the real wage increase received by these workers in 2017 is calculated as follows:
= Real wage rate in 2017 - Real wage rate in 2016
= 16.73% - 10.4%
= 6.33%
Hence, these workers do get a raise between the two years.
