Answer:
(a) Money supply decreases by $15 million; economy's reserves decreases by $3 million
(b) False
(c) False
Explanation:
(a) Required reserve ratio = 20 percent
Government bonds sold by Fed = $3 million
Money multiplier = 1 ÷ Required reserve ratio
= 1 ÷ 0.20
= 5
Money supply decreases by:
= Money multiplier × Decline in reserves
= 5 × $3 million
= $15 million
Therefore, the economy's reserve decreases by:
= Change in money supply × Required reserve ratio
= $15 million × 0.20
= $3 million.
(b) FALSE.
Now, if central bank reduces the reserve ratio but banks maintain excess reserves,
then the money multiplier:
= 1 ÷ (r+e)
= 1 ÷ (0.15 + 0.05)
= 5
Because money multiplier remains the same.
(c) False.
Since money multiplier remains constant, the overall change in money supply will not increase.