To accumulate $78,000 in 12 years by making equal annual deposits, we can use the future value of an ordinary annuity formula.
Given data:
Target amount (Future value) = $78,000
Number of years = 12
Interest rate = 7% (compounded annually)
Let's denote the equal annual deposit as X.
Using the future value of an ordinary annuity formula:
Future Value = X * [(1 + Interest rate)^Number of years - 1] / Interest rate
Plugging in the values:
$78,000 = X * [(1 + 0.07)^12 - 1] / 0.07
Let's solve for X:
$78,000 * 0.07 = X * [(1.07)^12 - 1]
$5,460 = X * (1.07^12 - 1)
$5,460 = X * 1.967151
X = $5,460 / 1.967151
X = $2,779.06
Therefore, you would need to deposit approximately $2,779.06 each year for 12 years to accumulate $78,000, assuming a 7% interest rate compounded annually.