Final answer:
The formula for compound interest is A = P(1 + r/n)^nt. In this formula, 'n' represents the number of times the interest is compounded per year. To calculate how long it takes to double an investment with $1500 at 6% interest compounded monthly, use the compound interest formula and solve for 't', which is approximately 11.55 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formula for compound interest is A = P(1 + r/n)^nt. In this formula, 'n' represents the number of times the interest is compounded per year.
If $1500 is invested at 6% interest compounded monthly, to calculate how long it takes to double the investment, we need to use the formula. Let's solve it step-by-step:
- Principal (P) = $1500
- Interest rate (r) = 6% = 0.06
- Number of times interest is compounded per year (n) = 12 (monthly)
- Time (t) = unknown
- Future value (A) = 2 x P = 2 x $1500 = $3000
Now, plug in the given values into the compound interest formula:
A = P(1 + r/n)^nt
$3000 = $1500(1 + 0.06/12)^(12t)
Next, we can simplify the formula:
2 = (1.005)^12t
To solve for 't', we can take the natural logarithm (ln) of both sides:
ln(2) = ln((1.005)^12t)
ln(2) = 12t ln(1.005)
Divide both sides by 12 ln(1.005):
t = ln(2) / (12 ln(1.005))
Using a calculator, we can find that 't' is approximately 11.55 years.