In this exercise, you will demonstrate your ability to find macroeconomic data from public sources and to
display it in an Excel spreadsheet.
Start by choosing one of these three macroeconomic variables: Real GDP, the unemployment rate, or the
inflation rate.
Follow these instructions to find numbers for your macroeconomic variable for the years 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Real GDP – Select Section 1, then table 1.1.6. Next, select “Modify” and choose “2015-A&Q” as the First Year.
Under Series, select “Annual.” The Real GDP numbers for each year are in Line 1.
Unemployment rates These numbers are monthly, not annual. Use the January number for each year.
Inflation rates These numbers are monthly, not annual. Use the January number for each year.
Prepare an Excel spreadsheet that has two columns and four rows. In cell A1 type in the variable you selected
and bold the text. In the heading for cell A2, type, “Year.” In cells A3, A4, and A5 descending below this
heading, type the years 2015, 2016, and 2017.
In the heading for cell B3, type the name of the variable you chose (Real GDP, Unemployment Rate, or
Inflation Rate). In the cells below this heading, type the values for each of the three years.
Underneath your table, type “Source:” Then paste the URL of the source where you found your data.
Sample Solution
