Answer:
10.89%
Step-by-step explanation:
Data provided in the question:
Number of economist in the panel = 68
Unemployment Rate, % : Â 10.2 Â Â 10.4 Â Â 10.6 Â Â 10.8 Â Â 11.0 Â Â 11.2 Â Â 11.4
Economists : Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 Â Â Â Â 4 Â Â Â Â 7 Â Â Â 24 Â Â Â 14 Â Â Â 12 Â Â Â 5
Now,
The average unemployment rate to be next year will be calculated using weighted average as:
= [tex]\frac{\sum{\textup{(Number of economist}\times\textup{Unemployment Rate)}}}{\textup{Total number of economist}}[/tex]
or
= [tex]\frac{(2\times10.2)+(4\times10.4)+(7\times10.6)+(24\times10.8)+(14\times11.0)+(12\times11.2)+(5\times11.4)}{68}[/tex]
or
= [tex]\frac{20.4+41.6+74.2+259.2+154+134.4+57}{68}[/tex]
or
= [tex]\frac{740.8}{68}[/tex]
or
= 10.89%
Hence,
The expected average unemployment rate to be next year by the panel will be 10.89%