Economists study macroeconomics to see the overall picture of how the economy works and to guess what might happen in the future. Here’s how they do it:

1. Looking at Data: Economists check different numbers like GDP (which shows how much money a country makes), unemployment rates (how many people don’t have jobs), and inflation (how prices go up). These numbers help them understand what’s going on in the economy.

2. Creating Economic Models: They build models that show how different parts of the economy relate to each other. For example, there’s a connection between inflation and interest rates. This can be shown with a simple formula, like $i = r + \pi$, where $i$ is the interest rate you pay, $r$ is the real rate, and $\pi$ is how much prices are expected to rise.

3. Finding Trends and Patterns: By looking at changes over time, like seasons or important events in the past, they can find patterns that help them predict the future.

4. Understanding Policy Impact: Economists also think about how government actions affect the economy. For example, if taxes are lowered, people might spend more money, which could help the economy grow.

In short, macroeconomics is important for understanding how the economy works and for making smart choices about the future.