Final answer:
Using the rule of 70, it will take approximately 44 years for the real GDP per capita in the United States to double from $49,000 to $98,000 at a 1.6% annual growth rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how many years it will take for real GDP per capita in the United States to grow from $49,000 to $98,000 at an annual growth rate of 1.6%, we use the rule of 70. The rule of 70 is a way to estimate the number of years required to double an investment at a given annual rate of return. By dividing 70 by the growth rate, you get the approximate number of years to double.
Years to double = 70 / growth rate
In this case:
Years to double = 70 / 1.6 = 43.75 years
Since we're looking for the number of years it will take to double from $49,000 to $98,000 and considering we should round to the nearest whole number:
Years to double = 44 years