Consider the following five situations. In which situation would a borrower be best off and in which situation would a lender be best off? a. The nominal interest rate is 14 percent and the inflation rate is 17 percent. b. The nominal interest rate is 9 percent and the inflation rate is 5 percent. c. The nominal interest rate is 4 percent and the inflation rate is negative 2 percent. d. The real interest rate is 8 percent and the inflation rate is 3 percent. e. The real interest rate is 3 percent and the inflation rate is 9 percent. The borrower is best off in situation ▼ and the lender is best off in situation ▼ A B C D E .

The borrower is best off in situation "a" and the lender is best off in situation ▼  "C" .

Explanation:

Considering all the situations given in the options, the borrower is best in situation a and lender is best off in situation in c.

Part a

Real Interest rate = Nominal Interest rate - Inflation rate = 14 - 17 = -3 per cent. Thus, the purchasing power of money has fallen and the person has to pay back money with little purchasing power as compared to the value of the purchasing power at the time he borrowed money. Thus, borrowers are best off.Thus, borrower is best off when the inflation rate is very high.

Part c

Inflation rate is negative, thus the purchasing power of money will increase and lenders will get back money with higher purchasing power as compared to the value of the purchasing power of money at the time he lend the money. Thus, lender is best off when inflation rate is lowest.