Compound interest & donald's plans

Question

Donald plans to invest x dollars in a savings account that pays interest at an annual rate of 8% compounded quarterly. Approximately what amount is the minimum that Donald will need to invest to earn over $100 in interest within 6 months?

A .$1500
B. $1750
C. $2000
D. $2500
E. $3000

If its compounded quaterly = 3 months ...then shouldnt it be 16% for 6 months ?

shashank.ism · Answer

bhumika.k.shah wrote:Donald plans to invest x dollars in a savings account that pays interest at an annual rate of 8% compounded quarterly. Approximately what amount is the minimum that Donald will need to invest to earn over $100 in interest within 6 months?

A .$1500
B. $1750
C. $2000
D. $2500
E. $3000

We can use the formula A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt) to solve this problem. Here P = x, r = 0.08, n = 4, and t = ½ since 6 months = ½ of a year, so nt = 4(½) = 2. Furthermore, let’s assume the interest in 6 months is exactly $100; thus A = x + 100. Therefore, we can create the following equation:

x(1 + 0.08/4)^2 = x + 100

x(1.0404) - x = 100

.0404x = 100

x = 100/.0404 ≈ 100/.04 = 2500

Answer: D

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ajith · Answer

bhumika.k.shah wrote:Donald plans to invest x dollars in a savings account that pays interest at an annual rate of 8% compounded quarterly. Approximately what amount is the minimum that Donald will need to invest to earn over $100 in interest within 6 months?

A .$1500
B. $1750
C. $2000
D. $2500
E. $3000

If its compounded quaterly = 3 months ...then shouldnt it be 16% for 6 months ?

Compound interest formula

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

given, n= 4 (quaterly);r =.08

the approach is substitution,

our interest requirement is 100$ after 6 months, 2 compounding period. interest per compounding period is 2%

lets take 1500, after 3 months interest accumulated is 30$, total amount is 1530
after 6 months, interest is 30.6$ and total is 1560.6$, so not 1500

1500 & 1750 have a difference of 250$ only , but the expected interest different is around 40$ hence you can straightaway rule out 1750

2000 is again can be ruled out as approx 4% interest yeilds only 80$

2500$ is a good bet, first 3 months it earns 50$ as interest, next 3 months it will earn 51$ as interest.
hence answer is D

komal · Answer

bhumika.k.shah wrote:Donald plans to invest x dollars in a savings account that pays interest at an annual rate of 8% compounded quarterly. Approximately what amount is the minimum that Donald will need to invest to earn over $100 in interest within 6 months?

A .$1500
B. $1750
C. $2000
D. $2500
E. $3000

If its compounded quaterly = 3 months ...then shouldnt it be 16% for 6 months ?

Compound interest formula

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

given, n= 4 (quaterly);r =.08

the approach is substitution,

our interest requirement is 100$ after 6 months, 2 compounding period. interest per compounding period is 2%

lets take 1500, after 3 months interest accumulated is 30$, total amount is 1530
after 6 months, interest is 30.6$ and total is 1560.6$, so not 1500

1500 & 1750 have a difference of 250$ only , but the expected interest different is around 40$ hence you can straightaway rule out 1750

2000 is again can be ruled out as approx 4% interest yeilds only 80$

2500$ is a good bet, first 3 months it earns 50$ as interest, next 3 months it will earn 51$ as interest.
hence answer is D

mr.mohd · Answer

Do you think it should be E becasue the question says OVER $100 which means at least $100.1!!
Please correct me if I am mistaken

komal wrote:
bhumika.k.shah wrote:Donald plans to invest x dollars in a savings account that pays interest at an annual rate of 8% compounded quarterly. Approximately what amount is the minimum that Donald will need to invest to earn over $100 in interest within 6 months?

A .$1500
B. $1750
C. $2000
D. $2500
E. $3000

If its compounded quaterly = 3 months ...then shouldnt it be 16% for 6 months ?
Compound interest formula

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

given, n= 4 (quaterly);r =.08

the approach is substitution,

our interest requirement is 100$ after 6 months, 2 compounding period. interest per compounding period is 2%

lets take 1500, after 3 months interest accumulated is 30$, total amount is 1530
after 6 months, interest is 30.6$ and total is 1560.6$, so not 1500

1500 & 1750 have a difference of 250$ only , but the expected interest different is around 40$ hence you can straightaway rule out 1750

2000 is again can be ruled out as approx 4% interest yeilds only 80$

2500$ is a good bet, first 3 months it earns 50$ as interest, next 3 months it will earn 51$ as interest.
hence answer is D

Rich.C@EMPOWERgmat.com · Answer

Hi mr. mohd,

Since we're dealing with COMPOUND interest, we have to remember that with each 3-month period we're earning 'interest on top of interest.' This means that each 3-month period generates a bit more money than the 3-month period that immediately precedes it.

With $2500 and 2% interest per period, the first period would generate ($2500)(.02) = $50 of interest... and the 2nd period would generate a little MORE than that. Thus, we'll have OVER $100 in total interest at the end of the first 6 months.

Final Answer: D

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

mr.mohd · Answer

Oh you're right! Thank you Rich.C@EMPOWERgmat.com wrote:Hi mr. mohd, Since we're dealing with COMPOUND interest, we have to remember that with each 3-month period we're earning 'interest on top of interest.' This means that each 3-month period generates a bit more money than the 3-month period that immediately precedes it. With $2500 and 2% interest per period, the first period would generate ($2500)(.02) = $50 of interest... and the 2nd period would generate a little MORE than that. Thus, we'll have OVER $100 in total interest at the end of the first 6 months. Final Answer: D GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich

Scott@TargetTestPrep · Answer

bhumika.k.shah wrote:Donald plans to invest x dollars in a savings account that pays interest at an annual rate of 8% compounded quarterly. Approximately what amount is the minimum that Donald will need to invest to earn over $100 in interest within 6 months?

A .$1500
B. $1750
C. $2000
D. $2500
E. $3000

If its compounded quaterly = 3 months ...then shouldnt it be 16% for 6 months ?

Compound interest formula

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

given, n= 4 (quaterly);r =.08

the approach is substitution,

our interest requirement is 100$ after 6 months, 2 compounding period. interest per compounding period is 2%

lets take 1500, after 3 months interest accumulated is 30$, total amount is 1530
after 6 months, interest is 30.6$ and total is 1560.6$, so not 1500

1500 & 1750 have a difference of 250$ only , but the expected interest different is around 40$ hence you can straightaway rule out 1750

2000 is again can be ruled out as approx 4% interest yeilds only 80$

2500$ is a good bet, first 3 months it earns 50$ as interest, next 3 months it will earn 51$ as interest.
hence answer is D

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