Final answer:
The inflation rate is calculated by subtracting the real return (7.2%) from the nominal return (9.8%), giving an inflation rate of 2.6%. The closest offered answer is 2.69%.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking us to calculate the inflation rate when the nominal return on an investment was 9.8% and the real return was 7.2%. The inflation rate can be found using the formula:
Nominal Return = Real Return + Inflation Rate
Rearranging this formula to solve for the inflation rate gives us:
Inflation Rate = Nominal Return - Real Return
Substituting the given numbers into this equation, we get:
Inflation Rate = 9.8% - 7.2% = 2.6%
Therefore, the inflation rate for the year was 2.6%. The closest answer to this calculated value is 2.69%.