Final answer:
Using the formula Interest = Principal × rate × time, the interest earned on a $2,000 investment at an 8% interest rate over 3 years is $480.00.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the amount of interest a $2,000.00 investment will earn in 3 years with an interest rate of 8%, we can use the formula Interest = Principal × rate × time. Here, the Principal (P) is $2,000.00, the rate (r) is 8% or 0.08 when expressed as a decimal, and the time (t) is 3 years.
Plugging these values into the formula gives us:
Interest = $2,000.00 × 0.08 × 3
Interest = $160.00 × 3
Interest = $480.00
Therefore, the interest earned after 3 years is $480.00, which corresponds to option (a).