Because there isn't one single measure of inflation, the government and researchers use a variety of methods to get the most balanced picture of how prices fluctuate in the economy. two of the most commonly used price indexes are the consumer price index (cpi) and the gdp deflator. indicate whether each scenario will affect the gdp deflator or the cpi for the united states. a. an increase in the price of a treewood equipment feller buncher, which is a commercial forestry machine that cuts and stacks trees. b. a decrease in the price of a chinese-made car that is popular among u. s. consumers.