Final answer:
To be indifferent between receiving $1000 now and $1150 in 4 years, the required annual interest rate would be approximately 3.57%, calculated using the future value formula.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking a financial mathematics question, specifically about the time value of money and compound interest. The real-world application in this context involves determining the rate of return or interest one would need to prefer receiving $1150 after 4 years instead of $1000 today. As such, we will use the formula for the future value of a single sum, which is Future Value (FV) = Present Value (PV) * (1 + Interest Rate)^{number of periods}. Plugging in the given values we get:
1150 = 1000 * (1 + r)^4
Where r represents the required rate of interest. Solving for r, we divide both sides by 1000, and then take the fourth root:
(1150 / 1000) = (1 + r)^4
((1150 / 1000)^(1/4)) - 1 = r
Using a calculator, this comes out to approximately:
r = 0.0357 or 3.57%
Thus, you would need an interest rate of at least 3.57% to be indifferent between receiving $1000 now or $1150 in four years.