Final answer:
To find the least amount Tomas could contribute each month, use the future value of an annuity formula to calculate the monthly deposit required. The approximate answer is 4) $580.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the least amount that Tomas could contribute each month, we need to use the future value of an annuity formula. The formula is:
FV = P * ((1 + r)^n - 1) / r
- FV is the future value ($200,000)
- P is the monthly deposit we're trying to find
- r is the monthly interest rate (4% / 12)
- n is the number of periods (30 years * 12)
Plugging in the values, we have:
$200,000 = P * ((1 + 0.04/12)^(30*12) - 1) / (0.04/12)
Simplifying, we find that P is approximately $580. Therefore, $580 represents the least amount that Tomas could contribute each month.