Final answer:
The interest for 4 years on a principal of $3,000 at an annual rate of 6% would be $720.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks how much interest would be earned on a principal of $3,000 over 4 years, given that $540 was earned over 3 years. We know that simple interest is calculated with the formula Interest = Principal × rate × time. From the given information, we can find the rate first and then use it to calculate the interest for 4 years.
The interest earned over 3 years is $540, so if we set up the equation: $540 = $3,000 × rate × 3 years. We can solve for the rate by dividing $540 by ($3,000 × 3), which gives us a rate of 0.06 or 6% per annum.
Now, we can find the interest for 4 years using the found rate: Interest = $3,000 × 0.06 × 4 years = $720. So, using the formula and the rate previously determined, the interest earned in 4 years would be $720.