Final answer:
To determine the time required for the investment to double and triple with continuous compounding at a rate of 0.0465, we use the formula A = Pe^(rt). It takes approximately 14.91 years for the investment to double and approximately 22.39 years to triple.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an investment is compounded continuously, the formula used is A = Pert, where A is the amount of money accumulated after t years, including interest. P is the principal amount (the initial amount of money), r is the annual interest rate (decimal), and e is the base of the natural logarithm, approximately equal to 2.71828. In this case, the principal is $2500 and the interest rate r is 0.0465.
To find the time t required for the investment to double, we set A to $5000, which is twice the original investment. To solve for t, we use the formula:
5000 = 2500e(0.0465t)
Dividing both sides by 2500 gives us:
2 = e(0.0465t)
We then take the natural logarithm of both sides:
ln(2) = 0.0465t
And solve for t:
t = ln(2)/0.0465
Using a calculator, we find that t ≈ 14.91 years.
Similarly, to find the time t for the money to triple, we set A to $7500 (three times the original investment) and solve:
7500 = 2500e(0.0465t)
Dividing both sides by 2500 gives us:
3 = e(0.0465t)
Taking the natural logarithm of both sides:
ln(3) = 0.0465t
And solving for t:
t = ln(3)/0.0465
Calculating t gives us approximately 22.39 years.