Final answer:
The present value of a 25-year annuity paying $7,200 annually at a discount rate of 9% can be determined using the present value of an annuity formula, which considers the time value of money.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the calculation of the present value of an annuity. To determine the value of an annuity today, given a series of equal payments over time with a specified discount rate, a formula for the present value of an annuity should be used. This is an application of the time value of money concept, which states that a sum of money is worth more now than the same sum will be in the future due to its potential earning capacity. For a $7,200 per year 25-year annuity at a 9 percent discount rate, we need to apply the present value annuity formula:
Present Value of Annuity = Pmt * [(1 - (1 + r)^-n) / r]
Here, Pmt is the annuity payment ($7,200), r is the discount rate (0.09), and n is the total number of periods (25 years).
Using this formula, we can calculate the value of the annuity today.