Final answer:
Marsha earned $975 in interest over 3 years by depositing $6,500 at a simple interest rate of 5%.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marsha deposited $6,500 into a savings account at a simple interest rate of 5%. To calculate the amount of money Marsha earned in interest over 3 years, we use the simple interest formula which is:
Simple Interest = Principal × Rate × Time
Where the principal is the initial amount deposited ($6,500), the rate is the interest rate (5% or 0.05), and the time is the period the money is invested or borrowed for (3 years). Applying the formula:
Simple Interest = $6,500 × 0.05 × 3
Simple Interest = $325 × 3
Simple Interest = $975
Therefore, Marsha earned $975 in interest over the 3-year period.