SOLUTION: . The Tanners have received an $8000 gift from one of their parents to invest in their child’s college education. They estimate that they will need $20,000 in 12 years to achiev

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Question 895873: . The Tanners have received an $8000 gift from one of their parents to invest in their child’s college education. They estimate that they will need $20,000 in 12 years to achieve their educational goals for their child. What interest rate compounded semiannually would the Tanners need to achieve this goal?

Answer by lwsshak3(11628) About Me  (Show Source):
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The Tanners have received an $8000 gift from one of their parents to invest in their child’s college education. They estimate that they will need $20,000 in 12 years to achieve their educational goals for their child. What interest rate compounded semiannually would the Tanners need to achieve this goal?
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Compound interest formula:
A=P(1+i)^n, P=initial investment, i=interest rate per compounding period, n=number of periods, A=amount after n-periods
..
For given problem:
P=8000
n=2*12=24 compounding perods
A=12000
..
A/P=(1+i)^24
12000/8000=(1+i)^24
1.5=(1+i)^24
take log of both sides
log1.5=24log(1+i)
log1.5/24=log(1+i)
.007337=log(1+i)
10^(.007337)=1+i
1+i=1.017
i=1.017-1=.017 (interest rate per compounding period)
annual interest rate=2*.017=.034 or 3.4%