Based on a Survey of Consumer Payment Choice, researchers from the Federal
Reserve Bank of Boston estimated that the average consumer, 18 years of age
and older, held about \(\$ 202\) in currency. However, as noted in the chapter,
there is actually about \(\$ 4,500\) of currency in circulation for every person
in the United States.
a. How can the amount of U.S. currency in circulation be so much higher than
the amount held by the U.S. population?
b. What does the difference in part
(a) imply about the measures of the money supply of the United States?