The federal reserve act gave the federal reserve board the authority to
a) issue paper money and increase the amount of money in circulation.
b) close weak banks.
c) take the u. s. dollar off the gold standard.
d) collect income taxes directly from employees' paychecks.
e) establish government—owned public banks.

A) issue paper money and increase the amount of money in circulation.

the correct answer is:   "   3.6 % " .

          →   the unemployment rate is:   " 3.6 % " .

explanation:

to calculate the "unemployment rate" :

the "unemployment rate"   =

  [# of people unemployed] /   [working age population]   * 100 %   ;

                =   [9 million] / [250 million]     *   100 % ;

    →     note:   the units of "million" cancel out;

                    since:   " {million} / {million} = 1 " ;

                =   (9 / 250)   * 100 %   ;

                = 0.036 * 100 % ;

                =   3.6 %

answer:   the unemployment rate is:   " 3.6 % " .