SOLUTION: solve: suppose that 2000 is invested at interest rate k, compounded continuously, and grows to 2358.79 in 3 yrs. find the exponential growth function. find the doubling time plea

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: solve: suppose that 2000 is invested at interest rate k, compounded continuously, and grows to 2358.79 in 3 yrs. find the exponential growth function. find the doubling time plea      Log On


   



Question 1140196: solve: suppose that 2000 is invested at interest rate k, compounded continuously, and grows to 2358.79 in 3 yrs. find the exponential growth function.
find the doubling time
please show work

Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the continuous compounding formula is f = p * e^(r * n)

f is the future value
p is the present value
r is the interest rate per time period.
n is the number of time periods.

when r = k, the formula becomes f = p * e ^ (k * n)

when f = 2358.79 and p = 2000 and n = 3 years, the formula becomes:

2358.79 = 2000 * e ^ (3 * k)

divide both sides of this equation by 2000 to get:

2358.79 / 2000 = e ^ (3 * k)

take the natural log of both sides of this equation to get:

ln(2358.79 / 2000) = ln(e ^ (3 * k))

since ln(e ^ (3 * k)) is equal to 3 * k * ln(e) and since ln(e) is equal to 1, the equation becomes:

ln(2358.79 / 2000) = 3 * k

divide both sides of this equation by 3 to get:

ln(2358.79 / 2000) / 3 = k

solve for k to get k = .0550005317

your exponential growth function is:

2358.79 = 2000 * e ^ (.0550005317 * 3).

evaluate this function to get 2358.79 = 2358.79, confirming the solution is correct.

to find the doubling time, the formula becomes:

2 = e ^ (.0550005317 * n)

take the natural log of both sides of this equation to get:

ln(2) = ln(e ^ (.0550005317 * n)

this becomes ln(2) = .0550005317 * n

divide both sides by .0550005317 to get:

ln(2) / .0550005317 = n

solve for n to get n = 12.602555418

replace n in the doubling formula to get:

2 = e ^ (.0550005317 * 12.602555418)

evaluate this function to get 2 = 2, confirming the solution is correct.

note that 2 = e ^ (.0550005317 * n) is the same as 2 = 1 * e ^ (.0550005317 * n)

you future value is 2 and your present value is 1, hence the doubling.