Main Answer:
The main answer, 12.50%, is derived by averaging interest portions and converting to an annual rate in a specific loan scenario. C. 12.50%.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. 12.50%.
Step-by-step explanation:
The given problem involves calculating the annual interest rate for a loan with specific parameters. The process to find this rate is complex and involves several steps. To begin, we determine the interest portion of the monthly payments for two consecutive months: September 1997 and October 1997. These interest portions are provided as percentages - 94.473% and 94.418%, respectively. We then average these percentages to find the average monthly interest rate over this period.
Next, we convert this monthly rate to an annual rate by multiplying it by 12. The result gives us the annual interest rate compounded monthly. The calculated rate falls within the range of the given answer choices, and the closest match is 12.50%, represented by option C.
In summary, by averaging the interest portions of two specific monthly payments and converting the result to an annual rate, we find that the appropriate interest rate for the given loan scenario is 12.50%.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. 12.50%.