Final answer:
The winner's prize in 2040 would be $40,128.20 if the prize continues increasing at the same rate as from 1903 to 2020.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the future prize in 2040, we need to determine the rate at which the prize has been increasing each year. The difference between the prize money in 1903 and 2020 is $235,000 - $50 = $234,950.
The number of years between 1903 and 2020 is 2020 - 1903 = 117 years.
The increase in prize money per year is $234,950 / 117 = $2,006.41.
To find the prize in 2040, we can calculate the number of years from 2020 to 2040, which is 2040 - 2020 = 20 years.
Then, we multiply the increase in prize money per year by the number of years: $2,006.41 * 20 = $40,128.20.
Therefore, the winner's prize in 2040 would be $40,128.20.