Question 1196399
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The problem clearly states that the RETURNS from the three investments amounted to $21,600.<br>
And the problem as stated is NOT ambiguous; the given conditions describe the problem completely.<br>
Let x be the amount invested in savings.<br>
The amount invested in bonds was twice as much: 2x.<br>
The amount of interest on the bonds, 2x, at a return rate of 12%, was the same as the amount of dividends from the mutual funds, at a rate of 8%.  Since the amounts of the returns are the same and the interest rates are in the ratio 12:8 = 3:2, the amounts invested in those two are in the ratio 2:3.  Since the amount invested in bonds was 2x, the amount invested in mutual funds was 3x.<br>
So we have amount x invested at 6%, amount 2x invested at 12%, and amount 3x invested at 8%, yielding total returns of $21,600:<br>
.06(x)+.12(2x)+.08(3x) = 21,600
.06x+.24x+.24x = 21,600
.54x = 21,600
x = 21,600/.54 = 40,000<br>
ANSWERS: The amounts invested in each type of investment were
savings: x = $40,000
bonds: 2x = $80,000
mutual funds: 3x = $120,000<br>