When one gas station lowers its price a penny, the station on the other corner of the intersection lowers its price, followed by the gas stations on the next block, and so on, until nearly every gas station in town has lowered its price. This situation illustrates .a. a differentiation strategy. b. intense rivalry among competitors. c. the treat of substitutes. d. a cost leadership strategy.

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.