In the long run, what is the relationship of the price level to total aggregate output?

The correct answer reflects the fundamental principle of classical economics wherein, in the long run, the economy is considered to be at full employment and total output is determined by factors such as technology, resources, and labor, rather than the price level. This notion is encapsulated in the concept of the long-run aggregate supply (LRAS) curve, which is vertical. This vertical nature suggests that changes in the price level do not impact the amount of goods and services produced by the economy; rather, the total output remains constant in the long run, irrespective of how high or low the price level might be.

In this context, fluctuations in the price level can affect total output in the short run, leading to a temporary increase or decrease in economic activity; however, those effects dissipate as the economy adjusts back to its potential output over time. This is why the assertion that the price level has no effect on total aggregate output in the long run is accurate and aligns with the core tenets of aggregate demand and supply theory.