To calculate the cost of the product at the beginning of the next year with an inflation rate of 3%, you can use the following formula:
\[ \text{New Cost} = \text{Old Cost} \times (1 + \text{Inflation Rate}) \]
In this case:
- Old Cost = $500
- Inflation Rate = 3% = 0.03
Now, plug in the values:
\[ \text{New Cost} = 500 \times (1 + 0.03) = 500 \times 1.03 = 515 \]
So, the product that cost $500 at the beginning of the year would cost approximately $515 at the beginning of the next year.
The answer is: a. $515.