Focus on Economic Data: U.S. Real GDP Growth, September 30, 2009

Printed on November 21st 2009
Aggregate Demand (AD)
A schedule (or graph) that shows the value of output (real GDP) that would be demanded at different price levels.

Aggregate Supply (AS)
A schedule (or graph) that shows the value of output (real GDP) that would be produced at different price levels. In the long run, the schedule shows a constant level of real GDP at all price levels, determined by the economy's productive capacity at full employment. In the short run, the aggregate supply schedule may show different levels of real GDP as the price level changes.

Business Cycles
Fluctuations in the overall rate of national economic activity with alternating periods of expansion and contraction; these vary in duration and degrees of severity; usually measured by real gross domestic product (GDP).

Economic Growth
An increase in real output as measured by real GDP or per capita real GDP.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The market value of all final goods and services produced in a country in a calendar year.

Macroeconomic Indicators
Macroeconomic indicators include Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross National Product (GNP), New Durable Goods orders, Retail Sales Indicator, New Home/Construction Sales, and Stock Prices.

Nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The total market value, measured in current prices, of all final goods and services produced in a nation during a given period of time, usually one year.

Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The total market value of all final goods and services produced in an economy in a given year divided by the population.

Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
GDP measured in dollars of constant purchasing power. The measure is obtained by adjusting nominal GDP (GDP measured in current prices) by an appropriate price index, usually the implicit price deflator. Often used as a measure of economic activity.

Glossary terms from: http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.php?lid=869&page=teacher