Algebra 1 help please! I suck at math :(

Question

Grace deposits $1000 in a mutual fund earning 9.25% annual interest, compounded monthly.

1. Write an exponential function that models this situation where y is the amount of Grace's investment and x is time in years.

2. Use your equation to complete the years and balance chart. (Round to the nearest cent.)

Years     Balance
5
10
15
20
25
30

3.Use your data from problem 2 to graph your equation from problem 1. (Use an x-scale of 5 years and a y-scale of $1000.)

4. If Grace were to invest $1000 at age 25 and not withdraw any money until retirement at age 67, calculate the expected value of her investment. Show your calculations and consider the trend of your graph.

All help is appreciated! I suck at math and need help with it. I just don't understand it.

Answer 1

B = I*(1 + c/f)^ft

 

B = Balance

I = Initial amount

c = coupon (interest rate)

f = frequency of compounding per year

t = years held in the bank

 

For example, for five years we get:

 

B = $1000*(1 + .0925/12)^(5*12) = $1585.23

 

Use this example to figure out 10,15,20,25 and 30 years.

 

For the retirement example:

 

B = $1000(1 + .0925/12)^(12*(67-25)) = $47947.33

 

The graph should have a positive trend that becomes steeper over time.