The table shows the labor force and the unemployment rate for three counties in northwest Pennsylvania for 2010 and 2019.

a. In 2010, the national unemployment rate was 9.3%. For 2010, compute a simple average unemployment index for the region using the national unemployment rate as the base. Interpret the simple average index.

b. In 2019, the national unemployment rate was 3.6%. For 2019, compute a simple average unemployment index for the region using the national unemployment rate as the base. Interpret the simple average index.

c. Use the data for this region of northwest Pennsylvania to create a weighted unemployment index using the Laspeyres method. Use 2010 as the base period. Interpret the index.

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County Erie Warren McKean Labor Force 141,800 21,300 20,900 2010 Percent Unemployment 4.8 4.7 4.9 Labor Force 128,251 18,871 17,685 2019 Percent Unemployment 3.4 2.7 3.7