To solve this problem, we're going to use the compound interest formula. The formula for compound interest is
![A=P(1+(r)/(n))^(nt)](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/high-school/39foo2gerf9tf1ffk32zwshrn339mz02kv.png)
where A is the balance with the interest added, P is the principal balance, r is the interest rate, n is the number of times interest is compounded per time period and t is the number of time periods.
In our problem, we start with $10,000, which represents the principal balance P. After 3 years(our amount of time periods t) Hordan's friend paid him back $11,500, which is the balance with the interest added(A). Since the amount of time is 3 years and the interest was compounded annually, the number of times interest is compounded per time period(n) is equal to 1.
Plugging those values in the formula, we have
![11500=10000(1+(r)/(1))^(1\cdot3)](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/zarytjuohq0eoelqqinvbqnbvdajzzv1lr.png)
Solving for r, we have
![\begin{gathered} 11500=10000(1+(r)/(1))^(1\cdot3) \\ 11500=10000(1+r)^3 \\ (11500)/(10000)=(1+r)^3 \\ 1.15=(1+r)^3 \\ \sqrt[3]{1.15}=1+r \\ 1.04768955317\ldots=1+r \\ r=1.04768955317\ldots-1 \\ r=0.04768955317\ldots \\ r\approx0.0477=4.77\% \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/a1lufwlulvc4zjqqrozh2p8npm6rzf037t.png)
And this was the interest rate.