1. ## Annual Rate

What annual rate of interest compounded annually should you seek if you want to double your investment in 5 years?

2. Originally Posted by dc52789
What annual rate of interest compounded annually should you seek if you want to double your investment in 5 years?
use the compound interest formula:

$A = P \left( 1 + \frac rn \right)^{nt}$

where $A$ is the amount after time $t$, $P$ is the principal, $r$ is the rate of interest, and $n$ is the number of times in is compounded per year

here, $n = 1$ and you need to find $r$. but this is what you want to happen. after 5 years, you want $P$ to become $2P$. thus you want

$2P = P \left( 1 + r \right)^5$

now solve for $r$

3. Originally Posted by Jhevon
use the compound interest formula:

$A = P \left( 1 + \frac rn \right)^{nt}$

where $A$ is the amount after time $t$, $P$ is the principal, $r$ is the rate of interest, and $n$ is the number of times in is compounded per year

here, $n = 1$ and you need to find $r$. but this is what you want to happen. after 5 years, you want $P$ to become $2P$. thus you want

$2P = P \left( 1 + r \right)^5$

now solve for $r$
I did 2 = (1+r)^5
Is that right so far?

4. Originally Posted by dc52789
I did 2 = (1+r)^5
Is that right so far?
yes

P is not zero, so we can divide by it

5. Originally Posted by Jhevon
yes

P is not zero, so we can divide by it
So...do I put the square 5 on the two to eliminate the 5 on the other side?

6. Originally Posted by dc52789
So...do I put the square 5 on the two to eliminate the 5 on the other side?
take the 5th root of both sides and continue

7. Originally Posted by Jhevon
take the 5th root of both sides and continue
is it 0.149 => 15%?

8. Originally Posted by dc52789
is it 0.149 => 15%?
yeah, around 14.9%