The following table, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, gives total nonfarm employment in October, November, and December 2010:

a. Calculate the change in nonfarm employment between October and November and between November and December.
b. Because new workers constantly enter the labor market, the economy must create approximately 150,000 jobs each month to keep unemployment constant, all other things being equal. What would you expect to have happened to the unemployment rate during November and December?

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Total nonfarm employment (in thousands) November October December 130,538 130,609 130,712