Question

On January 1, 2015, Anna invested $5,000 at 5 percent interest for one year. The CPI on January 1, 2015 stood at 2.37. On January 1, 2016, the CPI was 2.40. The real rate of interest earned by Anna was ______ percent.

a) 9
b) –5
c) 3.7
d) 5

Answer 1

The correct answer is c) 3.7 .

Step-by-step explanation:

The first thing we should do is calculate inflation: (2.40 - 2.37) / 2.37 = 1.3

Inflation Rate = 1.3

2.) Calculate the real interest rate

Real interest rate = nominal interest rate - inflation rate

5 - 1.3 = 3.7

3.7 is the real interest rate