A Wall Street Journal article stated that the U.S. economy added 155,000 jobs in November 2018, yet the unemployment rate, the labor force participation rate, and the employment–population ratio remained unchanged between October and November 2018.

a. How is it possible for the economy to add jobs yet maintain the same unemployment rate, labor force participation rate, and employment–population ratio?

b. Did these data about the U.S. labor market in November 2018 indicate that the U.S. economy was likely to slow down during 2019? Briefly explain.