SOLUTION: Please help me solve this word problem: An investor wants to have a retirement nest egg $100,000 and estimates that her investment now will grow at 4% compounded continuously fo

Algebra ->  Logarithm Solvers, Trainers and Word Problems -> SOLUTION: Please help me solve this word problem: An investor wants to have a retirement nest egg $100,000 and estimates that her investment now will grow at 4% compounded continuously fo      Log On


   



Question 1000216: Please help me solve this word problem:
An investor wants to have a retirement nest egg $100,000 and estimates that her investment now will grow at 4% compounded continuously for 30 years. What amount should she invest now to achieve this goal? (do not approximate until your final answer.)
Thank you so much.

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Formula Used:
A = P*e^(r*t)

Given values:
A = 100,000
r = 0.04
t = 30

What we want to find: P
The goal is to solve for P. In other words, isolate P on its own side.

Note: 'e' is the constant 2.718... It's a lot like pi = 3.14... in that it is a decimal value that goes on forever without any fixed pattern.

-------------------------------------------------------

A = P*e^(r*t)

100,000 = P*e^(0.04*30) ... plug in the given values (see above)

100,000 = P*e^(1.2)

100,000 = P*3.32011692

100,000/3.32011692 = P*3.32011692/3.32011692 ... Divide both sides by 3.32011692.

30,119.4212160457 = P

P = 30,119.4212160457

P = 30,119.42

So you need to invest $30,119.42