Final answer:
To have $18,000 in 2 years with a 20% annual interest rate compounded continuously, you need to invest approximately $12,065.76.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the amount of money you need to invest to have $18,000 in 2 years with a 20% annual interest rate compounded continuously, we can use the formula:
A = P * e^(rt)
Where:
- A is the future value (in this case $18,000)
- P is the principal amount we need to find
- e is the mathematical constant approximately equal to 2.71828
- r is the interest rate (20% = 0.20)
- t is the time in years (2 years)
Substituting the values into the formula:
18,000 = P * e^(0.20*2)
Simplifying:
18,000 = P * e^(0.40)
P = 18,000 / e^(0.40)
Using a calculator to evaluate the exponential term:
P ≈ 12,065.76
Therefore, you need to invest approximately $12,065.76 to have $18,000 in 2 years.