The answer to the question is c) Leading indicators change before the economy as a whole changes.

Explanation:
Indicators are used to measure and analyze various aspects of the economy, such as employment, production, inflation, and consumer sentiment. These indicators are essential tools for economists, policymakers, and businesses to understand the current state and forecast future trends of the economy.

There are three main types of economic indicators: leading indicators, coincident indicators, and lagging indicators. Each type provides different information and insights into the state of the economy.

1. Leading Indicators:
Leading indicators are economic variables that change before the economy as a whole changes. These indicators are used to predict changes in the economy and are helpful for forecasting future trends. Some examples of leading indicators include stock market performance, building permits, consumer sentiment surveys, and average weekly hours worked in manufacturing.

2. Coincident Indicators:
Coincident indicators change at the same time as the overall economy. They provide a real-time snapshot of the current state of the economy. Examples of coincident indicators include GDP growth rate, industrial production, retail sales, and employment levels.

3. Lagging Indicators:
Lagging indicators change after the economy as a whole changes. They confirm or validate a trend that has already occurred. Lagging indicators are useful for assessing the sustainability and stability of economic trends. Examples of lagging indicators include the unemployment rate, inflation rate, corporate profits, and interest rates.

In summary, leading indicators change before the economy as a whole changes and are used to forecast future trends. Coincident indicators change at the same time as the overall economy and provide a current snapshot. Lagging indicators change after the economy as a whole changes and validate or confirm trends that have already occurred. Each type of indicator serves a different purpose in understanding and analyzing the state of the economy.