Final answer:
To find the number of years it will take for a balance to reach $20,000 when $4,000 is invested at an interest rate of 10% per year compounded continuously, we can use the formula for continuous compound interest. Using this formula, it will take approximately 6.93 years for the balance to reach $20,000.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the number of years it will take for a balance to reach $20,000 when $4,000 is invested at an interest rate of 10% per year compounded continuously, we can use the formula for continuous compound interest:
A = P * e^(rt)
Where:
- A is the final amount
- P is the principal amount (initial investment)
- e is the base of the natural logarithm (approximately 2.71828)
- r is the interest rate per year
- t is the time in years
Substituting the given values into the formula, we have:
20000 = 4000 * e^(0.1t)
To solve for t, we can divide both sides of the equation by 4000:
5 = e^(0.1t)
Next, take the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation:
ln(5) = ln(e^(0.1t))
Since ln(e^(0.1t)) simplifies to 0.1t, we have:
ln(5) = 0.1t
Finally, divide both sides of the equation by 0.1:
t = ln(5) / 0.1
Using a calculator, we find that t is approximately 6.93 years, rounded to 2 decimal places.