Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)
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You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Start with the compound interest formula
Plug in
(double the initial investment of $500),
,
(the decimal equivalent of 12%), and
.
Evaluate
to get
Add
to
to get
Divide both sides by
.
Evaluate
to get
.
Take the natural log of both sides.
Pull down the exponent using the identity
.
Divide both sides by
.
Evaluate the natural log of
to get
.
Evaluate the natural log of
to get
.
Divide.
Divide both sides by 4 to isolate "t".
Divide.
Rearrange the equation.
Round to the nearest whole number (ie to the nearest whole year).
So it will take about 6 years for the investment to double.
If you need more help, email me at jim_thompson5910@hotmail.com
Also, feel free to check out my tutoring website
Jim