Problema Solution

Donnie is saving up money for a down payment on a car. He currently has

$5194, but knows he can get a loan at a lower interest rate if he can put down

$6096. If he invests the

$5194 in an account that earns

5.5% annually, compounded continuously, how long will it take Donnie to accumulate the

$6096? Round your answer to two decimal places, if necessary.

Answer provided by our tutors

Let

P = $5,194 the principal (the investment)

t = the time in years

r = 0.055 or 5.5% the annual interest rate

A = $6096 the future value (the investment will double in size)

The future value formula for continuous compounding is:

A=Pe^(rt)

Plug the values into the formula:

6096= 5194e^(0.055t)

e^(0.055t) = 6096/5194

e^(0.055t) = 1.17366

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t = 2.91 years

It will take 2.91 years for the investment to accumulate the $6096.