Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
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![**Compounding Interest Problem**
*Question:*
How many quarters will it take to triple an initial investment at an interest rate of 14% compounded quarterly?
---
To solve this, we'll use the formula for compound interest:
\[ A = P \left(1 + \frac{r}{n}\right)^{nt} \]
Where:
- \( A \): the amount of money accumulated after n years, including interest.
- \( P \): the principal amount (initial investment).
- \( r \): the annual interest rate (decimal).
- \( n \): the number of times interest is compounded per year.
- \( t \): the time the money is invested for in years.
In this scenario, the goal is to triple the investment, so \( A = 3P \). The interest rate \( r \) is 14% or 0.14 in decimal form, compounded quarterly, which means \( n = 4 \).
Set up the equation:
\[ 3P = P \left(1 + \frac{0.14}{4}\right)^{4t} \]
\[ 3 = \left(1 + \frac{0.14}{4}\right)^{4t} \]
Now, solve for \( t \) using logarithms:
\[ \log(3) = 4t \cdot \log\left(1 + \frac{0.14}{4}\right) \]
\[ t = \frac{\log(3)}{4 \cdot \log\left(1 + \frac{0.14}{4}\right)} \]
Calculate the value of \( t \) to find the number of years, then convert to quarters. This is a practical example of how compound interest can significantly affect investments over time.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F9b6de41e-7d7d-4dc0-a65f-dccfc95ed2b7%2Fac07b214-d353-45b5-ab8d-02396eae80a6%2F9vksklw_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:**Compounding Interest Problem**
*Question:*
How many quarters will it take to triple an initial investment at an interest rate of 14% compounded quarterly?
---
To solve this, we'll use the formula for compound interest:
\[ A = P \left(1 + \frac{r}{n}\right)^{nt} \]
Where:
- \( A \): the amount of money accumulated after n years, including interest.
- \( P \): the principal amount (initial investment).
- \( r \): the annual interest rate (decimal).
- \( n \): the number of times interest is compounded per year.
- \( t \): the time the money is invested for in years.
In this scenario, the goal is to triple the investment, so \( A = 3P \). The interest rate \( r \) is 14% or 0.14 in decimal form, compounded quarterly, which means \( n = 4 \).
Set up the equation:
\[ 3P = P \left(1 + \frac{0.14}{4}\right)^{4t} \]
\[ 3 = \left(1 + \frac{0.14}{4}\right)^{4t} \]
Now, solve for \( t \) using logarithms:
\[ \log(3) = 4t \cdot \log\left(1 + \frac{0.14}{4}\right) \]
\[ t = \frac{\log(3)}{4 \cdot \log\left(1 + \frac{0.14}{4}\right)} \]
Calculate the value of \( t \) to find the number of years, then convert to quarters. This is a practical example of how compound interest can significantly affect investments over time.
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