True or false: "foreign aid from high-income developed countries to low-income less-developed countries has provided the latter with the startup capital needed to ignite the growth process. because of foreign aid, poor countries have been able to save enough to finance major investment projects such as roads and power-generating plants. these projects have provided the foundation for economic growth."

The business cycle is the periodic but irregular up-and-down movement in economic activity, measured by fluctuations in real gross domestic product (gdp) and other macroeconomic variables. a business cycle is typically characterized by four phases—recession, recovery, growth, and decline—that repeat themselves over time. economists note, however, that complete business cycles vary in length. the duration of business cycles can be anywhere from about two to twelve years, with most cycles averaging six years in length. some business analysts use the business cycle model and terminology to study and explain fluctuations in business inventory and other individual elements of corporate operations. but the term "business cycle" is still primarily associated with larger (industry-wide, regional, national, or even international) business trends.