Final answer:
The formula for finding simple interest earned is n = krt, where n is the interest earned, r is the rate of interest, t is the number of years, and k is the constant of variation. By plugging in the given values into the formula and solving for the constant of variation, we can find the interest earned when r = 4% and t = 2 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
Since the amount of simple interest earned varies jointly with the rate of interest and the number of years, we can use the formula:
n = krt
where n is the interest earned, r is the rate of interest, t is the number of years, and k is the constant of variation.
Given that n = $18, r = 0.03, and t = 1.5, we can plug these values into the formula and solve for k:
$18 = 0.03k(1.5)
k = $18 / (0.03 * 1.5) = $400
Now, we can use this value of k to find the interest earned when r = 0.04 and t = 2:
= $400 * 0.04 * 2 = $32
Therefore, the simple interest earned when r = 4% and t = 2 years is $32.