Subject: isolating an exponent when it is a variable

Name: c. scott
Who is asking: Student
Level: Secondary

Question:
(math problem) Suppose you invest $500.00 in an account that pays 10% interest compounded annually. How long will it take for this value to triple?

A=p(1 + i)a A=1500 i=0.1
1500=500(1.1)a p=500 a=unknown

How do you solve this problem algebraicly? How do you isolate the variable (a) when it is an exponent?

Hi,

You are almost there. If
 

1500 = 500(1.1)a

 
then divide both sides by 500 to get
 
3 = (1.1)a

If you take a logarithm of both sides this becomes
 

log(3) = log((1.1)a) = a log(1.1)

 
and hence
 
a = log(3)/log(1.1)

Cheers,
Harley
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