The BLS reported that in July 2012, employment decreased by 195,000 to 142,220,000 and the unemployment rate increased from 8.2 percent to 8.3 percent. About 3.4 million people were marginally attached workers and 0.9 million of them were discouraged.

a. Calculate the change in unemployment in July 2012.

b. With 3.4 million marginally attached workers and 0.9 million of them discouraged workers, what are the characteristics of the other 2.5 million marginally attached workers?