A $1,600.00 principal earns 8% interest, compounded semiannually twice per year. After 23 years,

what is the balance in the account?

1 answer

The formula to calculate compound interest is:

A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt)

Where:
A = the future value of the investment/loan, including interest
P = the principal investment amount (in this case, $1,600.00)
r = the annual interest rate (in decimal form, so 8% is 0.08)
n = the number of times that interest is compounded per year (twice per year means n = 2)
t = the number of years the money is invested for (23 years)

Plugging in these values:

A = $1,600(1 + 0.08/2)^(2*23)
A = $1,600(1 + 0.04)^46
A = $1,600(1.04)^46
A = $1,600 * 7.527470
A = $12,036.35

Therefore, after 23 years, the balance in the account will be $12,036.35.