Find the value after five years of a $3,000 savings account that pays 3% interest compounded yearly. Round the answer to two decimal places

1 answer

To calculate the future value of a savings account with compound interest, you can use the formula:

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

where:

  • \(A\) is the amount of money accumulated after n years, including interest.
  • \(P\) is the principal amount (the initial amount of money).
  • \(r\) is the annual interest rate (decimal).
  • \(n\) is the number of years the money is invested or borrowed.

In this case:

  • \(P = 3000\)
  • \(r = 0.03\) (3% expressed as a decimal)
  • \(n = 5\)

Now, plug the values into the formula:

\[ A = 3000(1 + 0.03)^5 \]

First, calculate \(1 + 0.03\):

\[ 1 + 0.03 = 1.03 \]

Now raise \(1.03\) to the power of 5:

\[ 1.03^5 \approx 1.159274 \]

Next, multiply this by the principal \(P\):

\[ A = 3000 \times 1.159274 \approx 3477.82 \]

Finally, rounding to two decimal places, the value after five years will be:

\[ \boxed{3477.82} \]