At the beginning of year 1, Paolo invests \$500 at an annual compound interest rate of 4%. He makes no deposits to or withdrawals from the account.

Which explicit formula can be used to find the account's balance at the beginning of year 5? What is the balance?

A. [tex]A(n) = 500 + (0.004 \cdot 500)^{(n-1)}; \$ 516.00[/tex]
B. [tex]A(n) = 500 \cdot (1 + 0.04)^n; \$ 608.33[/tex]
C. [tex]A(n) = 500 + (n-1)(0.04 \cdot 500); \$ 580.00[/tex]
D. [tex]A(n) = 500 \cdot (1 + 0.04)^{(n-1)}; \$ 584.93[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the balance of Paolo's investment at the beginning of year 5 with an annual compound interest rate of 4%, we'll begin by examining the correct explicit formula to use.

The correct formula for calculating the balance \( A(n) \) after \( n \) years when interest is compounded annually is:

[tex]\[ A(n) = P \cdot (1 + r)^n \][/tex]

where:
- \( P \) is the principal amount (initial investment),
- \( r \) is the annual interest rate,
- \( n \) is the number of years.

Here:
- The principal amount \( P \) is \$500,
- The annual rate \( r \) is 4% or 0.04,
- The number of years \( n \) is 5.

Plugging these values into the formula, we get:

[tex]\[ A(n) = 500 \cdot (1 + 0.04)^5 \][/tex]

This simplifies to:

[tex]\[ A(5) = 500 \cdot (1.04)^5 \][/tex]

Now, we can compare this formula to the options provided:

A. \( A(n) = 500 + (0.004 \cdot 500)^{(n-1)} ; \$ 516.00 \)
B. \( A(n) = 500 \cdot (1 + 0.04)^n ; \$ 608.33 \)
C. \( A(n) = 500 + (n-1)(0.04 \cdot 500) ; \$ 580.00 \)
D. \( A(n) = 500 \cdot (1 + 0.04)^{(n-1)} ; \$ 584.93 \)

Option B matches the derived formula and explicitly uses the correct annual compound interest formula:

[tex]\[ A(n) = 500 \cdot (1 + 0.04)^n \][/tex]

At the beginning of year 5, substituting \( n = 5 \) into this formula, we find the calculation:

[tex]\[ A(5) = 500 \cdot (1.04)^5 \approx 608.33 \][/tex]

Therefore, the explicit formula and the balance at the beginning of year 5 are correctly given by option B:

[tex]\[ A(n) = 500 \cdot (1 + 0.04)^n \][/tex]

Thus, the balance at the beginning of year 5 is approximately \$608.33.

Summarizing:

The explicit formula is: \( A(n) = 500 \cdot (1 + 0.04)^n \)

The balance at the beginning of year 5 is: \$608.33.

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