Suppose that the real money demand function is

L(Y, r+^e)=0.01Y/r+^e

whereYis real output,ris the real interest rate, andeis the expected rate of inflation. Real output is constant over time atY= 150. The real interest rate is fixed in the goods market atr= 0.05 per year.

a. Suppose that the nominal money supply is growing at the rate of 10% per year and that this growth rate is expected to persist forever. Currently, the nominal money supply isM= 300. What are the values of the real money supply and the current price level? (Hint: What is the value of the expected inflation rate that enters the money demand function?)

b. Suppose that the nominal money supply isM= 300. The central bank announces that from now on the nominal money supply will grow at the rate of 5% per year. If everyone believes this announcement, and if all markets are in equilibrium, what are the values of the real money supply and the current price level? Explain the effects on the real money supply and the current price level of a slowdown in the rate of money growth.