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| Question 446206:  The question is:  The amount of money A accrued at the end of t years when a certain amount, P, is invested at an annual rate r compounded n times per year is given by:  A=P(1+r/n)^nt.  How long will it take for $450 at 5% interest compounded monthly to reach $1000?  (Write your answer to two decimal places.)
 I've set the problem up like this:
 1000=450(1+.05/12)^12(t)
 1000=450(1+0.00417)^12(t)
 1000=450(1.00417)^12(t)
 1000=450(1.0512)^t
 1000=473.04^t
 And that's where I'm stuck.  Assuming my math to that point is accurate (and if it's not, could you please help?), how do I go about the problem from this point?  How do I get t to no longer be an exponent and move on to get the time?
 Thank you!
 Answer by stanbon(75887)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! I've set the problem up like this: 1000=450(1+.05/12)^12(t)
 1000=450(1+0.00417)^12(t)
 1000=450(1.00417)^12(t)
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 At this point you should divide both sides by 450 to get:
 2.2222... = (1.00417)^(12t)
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 When the variable is in the exponent you need to take the
 log to get it down where you can solve for it.
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 You get:
 (12t)*log(1.00417) = log(2.22222..)
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 t = [log2.2222..]/[12log1.00417]
 ---
 t = 16 years
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 Cheers,
 Stan H.
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