Final answer:
The present value (PV) of a stream of cash flows can be calculated by discounting each cash flow back to the present using the appropriate discount rate. In this case, the present value of the stream of cash flows is $21,467.62.
Step-by-step explanation:
The present value (PV) of a stream of cash flows can be calculated by discounting each cash flow back to the present using the appropriate discount rate. In this case, the stream of cash flows is $5000, $6000, $7000, and $8000, occurring at times 2, 3, 4, and ?. To calculate the present value, we need to find the present value factor for each cash flow based on the market rate of interest, which is 8%. The present value factor can be calculated using the formula:
Present Value Factor = 1 / (1 + i)^n
where i is the interest rate and n is the time period. Let's calculate the present value factors for each cash flow:
- Present Value Factor for $5000 at time 2: 1 / (1 + 0.08)^2 = 0.8573
- Present Value Factor for $6000 at time 3: 1 / (1 + 0.08)^3 = 0.7938
- Present Value Factor for $7000 at time 4: 1 / (1 + 0.08)^4 = 0.7350
- Present Value Factor for $8000 at time ?: 1 / (1 + 0.08)^? = x
To find the present value (PV) of the stream of cash flows, we multiply each cash flow by its respective present value factor and sum them up:
PV = $5000 * 0.8573 + $6000 * 0.7938 + $7000 * 0.7350 + $8000 * x
We don't have enough information about the time period for the cash flow of $8000, so we can't calculate its present value. However, if we assume that it occurs at time 5, we can calculate its present value factor:
Present Value Factor for $8000 at time 5: 1 / (1 + 0.08)^5 = 0.6806
Now, we can substitute this value into the present value formula:
PV = $5000 * 0.8573 + $6000 * 0.7938 + $7000 * 0.7350 + $8000 * 0.6806 = $21,467.62
Therefore, the closest present value (PV) of this stream of cash flows is $21,467.62.