Writing and Solving Exponential Equations: Mastery Test

Enter the correct answer in the box.

Susanna deposits [tex]$\$ 400$[/tex] in a savings account with an interest rate of [tex]3 \%[/tex] compounded annually. What equation could Susanna use to calculate how many years it will take for the value of the account to reach [tex]$\[tex]$ 600$[/tex][/tex]?

Fill in the values of [tex]A[/tex], [tex]D[/tex], and [tex]c[/tex] to write the equation modeling this situation.



Answer :

To solve the problem of determining how many years it will take for Susanna's deposit to grow from \[tex]$400 to \$[/tex]600 with an annual interest rate of 3%, we can follow these steps:

1. Identify the formula for compound interest:

[tex]\[ A = P(1 + r)^t \][/tex]

Where:
- [tex]\( A \)[/tex] is the target amount (in this case, \[tex]$600), - \( P \) is the principal (initial deposit, \$[/tex]400),
- [tex]\( r \)[/tex] is the annual interest rate (3% or 0.03),
- [tex]\( t \)[/tex] is the time in years.

2. Set up the equation with the given values:

[tex]\[ 600 = 400(1 + 0.03)^t \][/tex]

3. Simplify the equation:

[tex]\[ 600 = 400(1.03)^t \][/tex]

4. Isolate the exponential term:

[tex]\[ \frac{600}{400} = (1.03)^t \][/tex]

[tex]\[ 1.5 = (1.03)^t \][/tex]

5. Take the natural logarithm (ln) of both sides to solve for [tex]\( t \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ \ln(1.5) = \ln((1.03)^t) \][/tex]

6. Use the property of logarithms to bring the exponent [tex]\( t \)[/tex] in front:

[tex]\[ \ln(1.5) = t \cdot \ln(1.03) \][/tex]

7. Solve for [tex]\( t \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ t = \frac{\ln(1.5)}{\ln(1.03)} \][/tex]

From the calculation:

- [tex]\( \ln(600) \approx 6.3969 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( \ln(400) \approx 5.9915 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( \ln(1.03) \approx 0.0295588 \)[/tex]

Thus:

[tex]\[ t = \frac{6.3969 - 5.9915}{0.0295588} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ t \approx 13.717 \][/tex]

Therefore, it will take approximately 13.717 years for Susanna’s deposit to grow to \$600 with an annual interest rate of 3%.