# 9.2: Derivation of the DD Curve

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learning objective

1. Learn how to derive the DD curve from the G&S model.

The DD curve is derived by transferring information described in the goods and services (G&S) market model onto a new diagram to show the relationship between the exchange rate and equilibrium gross national product (GNP). The original G&S market, depicted in the top part of Figure 9.2.1 , plots the aggregate demand ($$AD$$) function with respect to changes in U.S. GNP ($$Y_{}$$). Aggregate demand is measured along the vertical axis and aggregate supply (or the GNP) is measured on the horizontal axis. As discussed in Figure 9.2.1 as $$AD(E_{/£}, …)$$, where the ellipsis (…) is meant to indicate there are other unspecified variables that also influence $$AD$$.

 Exogenous Variables $$E_{/£}$$, $$I$$, $$G$$,$$T$$, $$TR$$, $$P_{}$$,$$P_{£}$$ Endogenous Variable $$Y_{}$$

Table $$\PageIndex{1}$$: G&S Market

Figure $$\PageIndex{1}$$: Derivation of the DD Curve

Initially, let’s assume the exchange rate is at a value in the market given by $$E_{/*}^{1}$$. We need to remember that all the other variables that affect AD are also at some initial level. Written explicitly, we could write AD as $$AD(E_{/£}^{1}, I^{1}, G^{1}, T^{1}, TR^{1}, P_{}^{1}, P_{£}^{1})$$. The AD function with exchange rate $$E_{/£}^{1}$$ intersects the forty-five-degree line at point G which determines the equilibrium level of GNP given by $$Y_{}^{1}$$. These two values are transferred to the lower diagram at point G determining one point on the DD curve ($$Y_{}^{1}$$, $$E_{/£}^{1}$$).

Next, suppose $$E_{/£}$$ rises from $$E_{/£}^{1}$$ to $$E_{/£}^{2}$$, ceteris paribus. This corresponds to a depreciation of the U.S. dollar with respect to the British pound. The ceteris paribus assumption means that investment, government, taxes, and so on stay fixed at levels $$I^{1}$$, $$G^{1}$$, $$T^{1}$$, and so on. Since a dollar depreciation makes foreign G&S relatively more expensive and domestic goods relatively cheaper, AD shifts up to $$AD(E_{/£}^{2}, …)$$. The equilibrium shifts to point $$H$$ at a GNP level $$Y_{}^{2}$$. These two values are transferred to the lower diagram at point $$H$$, determining a second point on the DD curve ($$Y_{}^{2}$$, $$E_{/£}^{2}$$).

The line drawn through points $$G$$ and $$H$$ on the lower diagram is called the DD curve. The DD curve plots an equilibrium GNP level for every possible exchange rate that may prevail, ceteris paribus. Stated differently, the DD curve is the combination of exchange rates and GNP levels that maintain equilibrium in the G&S market, ceteris paribus. We can think of it as the set of aggregate demand equilibriums.

An equilibrium in an economic model typically corresponds to a point toward which the endogenous variable values will converge based on some behavioral assumption about the participants in the model. In this case, equilibrium is not represented by a single point. Instead every point along the DD curve is an equilibrium value.

If the economy were at a point above the DD curve, say, at I in the lower diagram, the exchange rate would be $$E_{/£}^{2}$$ and the GNP level at $$Y_{}^{1}$$. This corresponds to point $$I$$ in the upper diagram where $$AD > Y$$, read off the vertical axis. In the G&S model, whenever aggregate demand exceeds aggregate supply, producers respond by increasing supply, causing GNP to rise. This continues until $$AD = Y$$ at point $$H$$. For all points to the left of the DD curve, $$AD > Y$$, therefore the behavior of producers would cause a shift to the right from any point like $$I$$ to a point like $$H$$ on the DD curve.

Similarly, at a point such as $$J$$, to the right of the DD curve, the exchange rate is $$E_{/£}^{1}$$ and the GNP level is at $$Y_{}^{2}$$. This corresponds to point $$J$$ in the upper diagram above where aggregate demand is less than supply ($$AD < Y$$). In the G&S model, whenever supply exceeds demand, producers respond by reducing supply, thus GNP falls. This continues until $$AD = Y$$ at point $$G$$. For all points to the right of the DD curve, $$AD < Y$$, therefore the behavior of producers would cause a shift to the left from any point like $$J$$ to a point like $$G$$ on the DD curve.

A useful analogy is to think of the DD curve as a river flowing through a valley. (See the 3-D diagram in Figure 9.2.2 .) The hills rise up to the right and left along the upward-sloping DD curve. Just as gravity will move a drop of water downhill onto the river valley, firm behavior will move GNP much in the same way: right or left to the lowest point along the DD curve.

Figure $$\PageIndex{2}$$: A 3-D DD Curve

key takeaways

• The DD curve plots an equilibrium GNP level for every possible exchange rate that may prevail, ceteris paribus.
• Every point on a DD curve represents an equilibrium value in the G&S market.
• The DD curve is positively sloped because an increase in the exchange rate (meaning a decrease in the U.S. dollar value) raises equilibrium GNP in the G&S model.

exercise

1. Jeopardy Questions. As in the popular television game show, you are given an answer to a question and you must respond with the question. For example, if the answer is “a tax on imports,” then the correct question is “What is a tariff?”
• This is what has happened to its currency value if an economy’s exchange rate and GNP combination moves upward along an upward-sloping DD curve.
• Of greater than, less than, or equal to, this is how aggregate demand compares to GNP when the economy has an exchange rate and GNP combination that places it to the left of the DD curve.
• Of greater than, less than, or equal to, this is how aggregate demand compares to GNP when the economy has an exchange rate and GNP combination that places it on the DD curve.
• The equilibriums along a DD curve satisfy this condition.

This page titled 9.2: Derivation of the DD Curve is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Anonymous.