suppose an investment of $3,200 doubles in value every decade. the following function gives the value of the investment after x decades. how much is the investment worth after 6 decades?

Answer 1

Kassi,

This is an exponential function with standard exponential equation y = a b^x

^{a is the initial value, a = $3200}

^{b is the multiplier, in your case it doubles, so b=2}

^{x is the number of decades, so x=6}

So type into your calculator y = 3200 times 2⁶

Let me give you another way of thinking of it

After 1 decade your investment has doubled and is worth 3200x2 = $6400

After 2 decades your investment has doubled and is worth 6400x2 = $12,800

Keep going for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th decade

Hope that helps

Flora