SOLUTION: If c dollars are deposited in an account paying r annual interest, approximate the amount in the account after x years if c =$250, r = 2.5% and x = 16 years A = __

SOLUTION: If c dollars are deposited in an account paying r annual interest, approximate the amount in the account after x years if c =$250, r = 2.5% and x = 16 years A = ___ (round to th

Question 551686: If c dollars are deposited in an account paying r annual interest, approximate the amount in the account after x years if c =$250, r = 2.5% and x = 16 years
A = ___ (round to the nearest cent.
Here's what i have so far
2.5/100 = 0.025
a = 250(1 + 0.025)^16
a= 250(1 +0.25)^16
okay this is where i get confused i've tried multiplying 250 x 0.25 then raise to the 16 power and i've tried 0.25 raised to the 16 power x 250 i'm not sure
Answer by KMST(5328) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The proper calculation would be

meaning that you calculate the parenthesis first

The next step is calculating ...
The final step is multiplying times 250 to find
... which you would round to $371.13.
THE MEANING OF THE EXPRESSION
The expression means doing exactly that.
Once you start reading or writing an algebraic expression involving more than one operation, you need to follow the rules of order of operations. (That's like grammar rules for algebra, invented long ago so that we understand each other).
The rules say you calculate what's inside parenthesis first. Once there are no more parentheses (and inside each set of parentheses), exponents take priority over everything else. Multiplication and division strings are calculated next from left to right, and additions and subtractions are done next, from left to right.
THE REASON TO USE THAT EXPRESSION
If you deposit $250 at 2.5% (not compounded) you would earn $ in one year. (For an amount c at rate r (expressed as a decimal), it would be ).
If the interest is re-deposited (left in the account), the balance will be
. (In general, it would be ).
Each year, as the interest is re-deposited (left in the account), the balance will be the amount in the account the year before times . (In general the previous year balance would be multiplied times ).
So, after 16 years you would have multiplied the initial balance times 1.025 again and again, for a total of 16 multiplications.

In general, a deposit of amount c, at interest rate r, for x years would generate a final balance of

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