Answer:
y = 500(1.03)ˣ; y = 579.64
Step-by-step explanation:
Since the amount is compounded yearly, we use the formula for compound interest:
y = p(1+r)ˣ, where y is the total amount, p is the amount of principal invested, r is the interest rate and x is the number of years.
In this problem, the amount invested, p, is 500; the interest rate, r, is 3% = 3/100 = 0.03. This gives us
y = 500(1+0.03)ˣ, or
y = 500(1.03)ˣ.
To find the account balance at the beginning of year 6, we replace x with 5 (this is because only 5 time periods have passed):
y = 500(1.03)⁵ = 579.64.