Answer:
increased
Explanation:
Data provided in the question:
Price of a gallon of gasoline in 1972 = $0.35
CPI in 1972 = 0.418
Price of a gallon of gasoline in 2005 = $2.25
CPI in 2005 = 1.68
Now,
Real cost in 1972 = [ Nominal cost in 1972 ] ÷ [ CPI in 1972 ]
= $0.35 ÷ 0.418
= $0.837
Real cost in 2005 = [ Nominal cost in 2005 ] ÷ [ CPI in 2005 ]
= $2.25 ÷ 1.68
= $1.34
Hence,
The price of gallon of gasoline increased between 1972 and 2005
