21.   The diffusion index is calculated by subtracting the percentage of optimistic responses from the percentage of pessimistic responses.

22.   The diffusion index is calculated by subtracting the percentage of survey respondents who replied conditions were good from those who replied conditions were poor.

23.   The diffusion index is calculated by subtracting the percentage of respondents who say business conditions are worse from the percentage of those who say they are better.

24.   The editors of Fortune will determine the components and metrics that will be used in calculating the index.

25.   The final report to be released tomorrow is expected to ratify that assertion and argue for a complete overhaul in how the index is calculated.

26.   The final report is expected to ratify that assertion and argue for a complete overhaul in how the index is calculated.

27.   The index is calculated by balancing negative answers against positive answers.

28.   The index is calculated by subtracting the percentage of companies that feel pessimistic about economic conditions from those that feel optimistic.

29.   The indexes are calculated by subtracting the number of respondents who say manufacturing or prices are falling from the number who say they are rising.

30.   The index is calculated from a monthly telephone survey that asks consumers about their personal finances and their impressions of current business conditions.