The annual interest rate is 3.5%. This is calculated by finding the rate that, over 6 months, results in a $42 gain on a $2400 principal investment.
To determine the annual interest rate, we can use the formula for simple interest:
![\[ \text{Simple Interest} = P \cdot r \cdot t \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/noaac6ezt1ti863926ukyr957o4e2zdq5j.png)
Where:
- P is the principal amount (initial investment),
- r is the annual interest rate (as a decimal),
- t is the time the money is invested or borrowed in years.
Given that the principal ( P ) is $2400, the time ( t ) is 6 months (which is
, and the interest gained is $42, we can substitute these values into the formula:
![\[ 42 = 2400 \cdot r \cdot (1)/(2) \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/xcoapi57kx11ko9hnq5orachymm0hb4zpl.png)
Now, solve for r :
![\[ r = (42 \cdot 2)/(2400) \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/4jeky1a5d73s90t0j6q1pxh6v77ta5sak6.png)
![\[ r = (84)/(2400) \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/8y7xez6pck9x5xvqh1r0eqs3i6ihsks0pc.png)
r = 0.035
To express the annual rate as a percentage, multiply by 100:
![\[ r_{\text{annual}} = 0.035 * 100 = 3.5\% \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/1l5x7cnwa4s8hjj7r29tmdk3kc2s9hs00z.png)
Therefore, the annual interest rate is 3.5%.