Which statement is true regarding the history of United States business cycles?

The statement that expansions are longer than contractions is true regarding the history of United States business cycles. Historically, economic expansions, during which the economy grows and jobs are created, tend to last longer than contractions, which are periods of economic decline or recession. This observation is supported by data collected over many decades, indicating that while fluctuations in economic activity naturally occur, growth periods frequently extend over several years, whereas recessions typically are shorter in duration.

The behavior of the economy during these cycles can reflect various factors, such as consumer confidence, investment rates, and government policies that often aim to stimulate the economy during downturns. In contrast, while contractions can be deep, they usually do not persist as long as expansions. The overall tendency of prolonged growth phases is evident in the historical record of U.S. business cycles, illustrating resilience and recovery capabilities in the economy.

For context, the other statements do not align with historical trends. For instance, expansions are not more frequent than contractions when considering the average duration and frequency of each phase. Additionally, contractions do not typically last longer on average than expansions, and business cycles have not become more predictable over time due to various external factors and economic shocks that can disrupt these patterns.