Problema Solution

Ping invests $7000 in a saving certificate that has an interest rate of 3.75% per year, compounded semiannually.

(a) Find a formula for the amount A of the certificate after t years.

Answer provided by our tutors

P = $7,000 the principal


r = 0.0375 or 3.75% annual interest rate


m = 2 compounding period per year


i = r/m = 0.0375/2 = 0.01875 interest rate per period


t = years


n = t*m = 2t total number of compounding periods


A = the future value (the amount in the account after t years)


A = P(1 + i)^n


A = 7000(1 + 0.01875)^(2t) is the formula for the amount A of the certificate after t years.