Final answer:
Maria's gift worth today is calculated by finding the present value of $500,000, which Bill plans to give her in seven years. Using the formula with a 6% interest rate compounded semiannually, the present value is approximately $320,270.74.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine what Maria's gift is worth today, we need to calculate the present value of the $500,000 that Bill intends to give Maria in seven years at a 6% interest rate compounded semiannually. We can do so utilizing the formula for present value PV = FV / (1 + r/n)^(nt), where PV is the present value, FV is the future value, r is the annual interest rate, n is the number of times the interest is compounded per year, and t is the time in years.
By plugging in the values provided: PV = $500,000 / (1 + 0.06/2)^(2*7), we get PV = $500,000 / (1 + 0.03)^(14).
So, to obtain Maria's present value of the future gift:
PV = $500,000 / (1.03)^14
PV = $500,000 / (1.559913)
PV = $320,270.74 (approx)
Therefore, Maria's gift is worth approximately $320,270.74 today.