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An investment of $1000 was made in a certain account and ear [#permalink] ### Show Tags 24 Nov 2012, 12:28 2 This post received KUDOS 21 This post was BOOKMARKED 00:00 Difficulty: 55% (hard) Question Stats: 61% (02:21) correct 39% (01:25) wrong based on 306 sessions ### HideShow timer Statistics An investment of$1000 was made in a certain account and earned interest that was compounded annually. The annual interest rate was fixed for the duration of the investment, and after 12 years the $1000 increased to$4000 by earning interest. In how many years after the initial investment was made the $1000 have increased to$8000 by earning interest at that rate?

A. 16
B. 18
C. 20
D. 24
E. 30

[Reveal] Spoiler:
I have the solution presented by GMAT prep but it is not the way I like to do it. My strategy would simply be to find the interest rate. And then work backwards from the solutions to get the answer (an interest of 7000, or total of 8000).

But I'm having trouble calculating the rate here?

Can anyone help?

in 12 years he made 3000 in interest. So shouldn't it be 1000(r/100)^12 = 3000 ?? then solve for r ?

I keep getting a number in the 30s, or 36.... ugh.
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA
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24 Nov 2012, 18:48
I'm sorry, I'm losing you.

I'm getting

(1) (1+r)^12 = 4
(2) (1+r)^x = 8

I don't know what goes on after this... not understanding your work

But why can't we just find out what the r first and then work backwards from the solutions to find the amount of years necessary to get an interest of 7000 / total of 8000
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24 Nov 2012, 20:09
Okay, I understand the math now....

Yikes, that is a lot of math to be able to do during the test....

dammit.
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24 Nov 2012, 20:34
1
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We just have to keep studying as hard as possible. Don't give up. We think we are studying hard?

they may studying twice as hard.
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Re: An investment of $1000 was made in a certain account and ear [#permalink] ### Show Tags 24 Nov 2012, 21:18 16 This post received KUDOS 5 This post was BOOKMARKED anon1 wrote: An investment of$1000 was made in a certain account and earned interest that was compounded annually. The annual interest rate was fixed for the duration of the investment, and after 12 years the $1000 increased to$4000 by earning interest. In how many years after the initial investment was made the $1000 have increased to$8000 by earning interest at that rate?

A. 16
B. 18
C. 20
D. 24
E. 30

I have the solution presented by GMAT prep but it is not the way I like to do it. My strategy would simply be to find the interest rate. And then work backwards from the solutions to get the answer (an interest of 7000, or total of 8000).

But I'm having trouble calculating the rate here?

Can anyone help?

in 12 years he made 3000 in interest. So shouldn't it be 1000(r/100)^12 = 3000 ?? then solve for r ?

I keep getting a number in the 30s, or 36.... ugh.

Its actually an easier question with a simpler approach.

Amount 1000 is invested for 12 yrs and yields 4000. Amount is compounded annually.
we need number of years it will take to yield 8000.

from 1000 to 4000 = 4 times
from 4000 to 8000 = 2 times.

if compounding is happening at same rate throughout, then
since, time required for 4 times = 12 yrs
=>time required for 2 times = 6 yrs

Total time from initial = 12+6 = 18 yrs
Ans B.
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24 Nov 2012, 21:40
2
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anon1 wrote:
YES YES YES YES YES

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I knew there was an elegant way to do this. I just could not figure it out... I have a personal theory that almost every GMAT problem can be solved with basic arithmetic and reasoning, and that was it VIPS. You are freaking awesome.

ha ha..
wish could have shown that on the test too
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Re: An investment of $1000 was made in a certain account and ear [#permalink] ### Show Tags 25 Nov 2012, 16:50 Vips0000 wrote: anon1 wrote: An investment of$1000 was made in a certain account and earned interest that was compounded annually. The annual interest rate was fixed for the duration of the investment, and after 12 years the $1000 increased to$4000 by earning interest. In how many years after the initial investment was made the $1000 have increased to$8000 by earning interest at that rate?

A. 16
B. 18
C. 20
D. 24
E. 30

I have the solution presented by GMAT prep but it is not the way I like to do it. My strategy would simply be to find the interest rate. And then work backwards from the solutions to get the answer (an interest of 7000, or total of 8000).

But I'm having trouble calculating the rate here?

Can anyone help?

in 12 years he made 3000 in interest. So shouldn't it be 1000(r/100)^12 = 3000 ?? then solve for r ?

I keep getting a number in the 30s, or 36.... ugh.

Its actually an easier question with a simpler approach.

Amount 1000 is invested for 12 yrs and yields 4000. Amount is compounded annually.
we need number of years it will take to yield 8000.

from 1000 to 4000 = 4 times
from 4000 to 8000 = 2 times.

if compounding is happening at same rate throughout, then
since, time required for 4 times = 12 yrs
=>time required for 2 times = 6 yrs

Total time from initial = 12+6 = 18 yrs
Ans B.

Hey Vips,

I tried to figure out

from 1000 to 4000 = 4 times
from 4000 to 8000 = 2 times.

But couldn't

You mean 1000 to 4000 = 4*1000
4000 to 8000 = 2 *2000

If so how u took first as 1000 and next as 2000 ..... Or any other logic?

Can you brief it plzzz... !!!
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Re: An investment of $1000 was made in a certain account and ear [#permalink] ### Show Tags 26 Nov 2012, 00:36 4 This post received KUDOS Expert's post 5 This post was BOOKMARKED shanmugamgsn wrote: Heyy Vips, I tried to figure out from 1000 to 4000 = 4 times from 4000 to 8000 = 2 times. But couldn't You mean 1000 to 4000 = 4*1000 4000 to 8000 = 2 *2000 If so how u took first as 1000 and next as 2000 ..... Or any other logic? Can you brief it plzzz... !!! An investment of$1000 was made in a certain account and earned interest that was compounded annually. The annual interest rate was fixed for the duration of the investment, and after 12 years the $1000 increased to$4000 by earning interest. In how many years after the initial investment was made the $1000 have increased to$8000 by earning interest at that rate?

A. 16
B. 18
C. 20
D. 24
E. 30

In 12 years the investment quadrupled (from $1,000 to$4,000).

Thus, at the same rate compounded annually, it would need additional 12/2=6 years to double (from $4,000 to$8,000).

Therefore, 12+6=18 years are needed $1,000 to increase to$8,000.

Hope it's clear.
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06 Jun 2014, 09:10
I used a logical approach to solve this:
In 12 years, the investment doubled twice. Therefore, in the first 6 years, the investment doubled from 1000 to 2000, and in the next 6 years the investment doubled again from 2000 to 4000. Since the rate of return remains the same, the investment will take another 6 years to double from 4000 to 8000.
Total time is 12+6=18
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Re: An investment of $1000 was made in a certain account and ear [#permalink] ### Show Tags 07 Dec 2014, 13:51 Bunuel wrote: shanmugamgsn wrote: Heyy Vips, I tried to figure out from 1000 to 4000 = 4 times from 4000 to 8000 = 2 times. But couldn't You mean 1000 to 4000 = 4*1000 4000 to 8000 = 2 *2000 If so how u took first as 1000 and next as 2000 ..... Or any other logic? Can you brief it plzzz... !!! An investment of$1000 was made in a certain account and earned interest that was compounded annually. The annual interest rate was fixed for the duration of the investment, and after 12 years the $1000 increased to$4000 by earning interest. In how many years after the initial investment was made the $1000 have increased to$8000 by earning interest at that rate?

A. 16
B. 18
C. 20
D. 24
E. 30

In 12 years the investment quadrupled (from $1,000 to$4,000).

Thus, at the same rate compounded annually, it would need additional 12/2=6 years to double (from $4,000 to$8,000).

Therefore, 12+6=18 years are needed $1,000 to increase to$8,000.

Hope it's clear.

Hi Bunuel,

1) Since interest is compounded, isn't the amount that increases after every annual period change? For example, if I invest $100 at a rate of 20% compounded annual -- after year 1, I have 120. After year 2, I have 144 and so on. It rises a lot quicker because they are exponents -- doesn't it? By the same token, how can we assume that it will take the same amount of time to double from$1000 to $2000 as$4000 to $800. I would assume that the latter would double a lot quicker? 2) If I was to follow the math, I get 4 = (1+r)^12. What exactly can we do to simplify this further. I tried to multiply both sides by (1/12) but that didn't really get me anywhere? If I simplified it further, I ended up getting: (2^6) = (100 + R)/(100) R = 6200? Thanks Manager Joined: 27 May 2014 Posts: 82 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 17 [0], given: 21 Re: An investment of$1000 was made in a certain account and ear [#permalink]

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07 Dec 2014, 14:37
Bunuel following that same logic: if I put 1000 into an account with 100% interest in year 1 I will get 2000, year 2 4000 year 3 8000. So I increased my investment eight fold in three years. Now if I want my investment to go to double to 16,000 it would take one more year. But according to what has been said above 3/4 would be the answer. Are you counting the initial deposit as year 1?
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Re: An investment of $1000 was made in a certain account and ear [#permalink] ### Show Tags 08 Dec 2014, 02:37 russ9 wrote: Bunuel wrote: shanmugamgsn wrote: Heyy Vips, I tried to figure out from 1000 to 4000 = 4 times from 4000 to 8000 = 2 times. But couldn't You mean 1000 to 4000 = 4*1000 4000 to 8000 = 2 *2000 If so how u took first as 1000 and next as 2000 ..... Or any other logic? Can you brief it plzzz... !!! An investment of$1000 was made in a certain account and earned interest that was compounded annually. The annual interest rate was fixed for the duration of the investment, and after 12 years the $1000 increased to$4000 by earning interest. In how many years after the initial investment was made the $1000 have increased to$8000 by earning interest at that rate?

A. 16
B. 18
C. 20
D. 24
E. 30

In 12 years the investment quadrupled (from $1,000 to$4,000).

Thus, at the same rate compounded annually, it would need additional 12/2=6 years to double (from $4,000 to$8,000).

Therefore, 12+6=18 years are needed $1,000 to increase to$8,000.

Hope it's clear.

Hi Bunuel,

1) Since interest is compounded, isn't the amount that increases after every annual period change? For example, if I invest $100 at a rate of 20% compounded annual -- after year 1, I have 120. After year 2, I have 144 and so on. It rises a lot quicker because they are exponents -- doesn't it? By the same token, how can we assume that it will take the same amount of time to double from$1000 to $2000 as$4000 to $800. I would assume that the latter would double a lot quicker? 2) If I was to follow the math, I get 4 = (1+r)^12. What exactly can we do to simplify this further. I tried to multiply both sides by (1/12) but that didn't really get me anywhere? If I simplified it further, I ended up getting: (2^6) = (100 + R)/(100) R = 6200? Thanks 1. You can answer this yourself if you try simpler numbers. 2. Your simplification there is not correct. Do not understand what you've done. Also, why do you need to solve for r? _________________ Math Expert Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 35837 Followers: 6827 Kudos [?]: 89638 [0], given: 10380 Re: An investment of$1000 was made in a certain account and ear [#permalink]

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08 Dec 2014, 03:01
bankerboy30 wrote:
Bunuel following that same logic: if I put 1000 into an account with 100% interest in year 1 I will get 2000, year 2 4000 year 3 8000. So I increased my investment eight fold in three years. Now if I want my investment to go to double to 16,000 it would take one more year. But according to what has been said above 3/4 would be the answer. Are you counting the initial deposit as year 1?

At the rate of 100% (*2) the investment increases 8 times in 3 years.
In 3 years the investment increases 2*2*2 = 8 times (from $1,000 to$8,000). The doubling period is 1 year.
Thus, at the same rate compounded annually, it would need additional 3/3 = 1 year to double (from $8,000 to$16,000).
Therefore, 3+1=4 years are needed $1,000 to increase to$16,000.
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Re: An investment of $1000 was made in a certain account and ear [#permalink] ### Show Tags 21 Mar 2015, 05:04 shanmugamgsn wrote: Vips0000 wrote: anon1 wrote: An investment of$1000 was made in a certain account and earned interest that was compounded annually. The annual interest rate was fixed for the duration of the investment, and after 12 years the $1000 increased to$4000 by earning interest. In how many years after the initial investment was made the $1000 have increased to$8000 by earning interest at that rate?

A. 16
B. 18
C. 20
D. 24
E. 30

I have the solution presented by GMAT prep but it is not the way I like to do it. My strategy would simply be to find the interest rate. And then work backwards from the solutions to get the answer (an interest of 7000, or total of 8000).

But I'm having trouble calculating the rate here?

Can anyone help?

in 12 years he made 3000 in interest. So shouldn't it be 1000(r/100)^12 = 3000 ?? then solve for r ?

I keep getting a number in the 30s, or 36.... ugh.

Its actually an easier question with a simpler approach.

Amount 1000 is invested for 12 yrs and yields 4000. Amount is compounded annually.
we need number of years it will take to yield 8000.

from 1000 to 4000 = 4 times
from 4000 to 8000 = 2 times.

if compounding is happening at same rate throughout, then
since, time required for 4 times = 12 yrs
=>time required for 2 times = 6 yrs

Total time from initial = 12+6 = 18 yrs
Ans B.

Hey Vips,

I tried to figure out

from 1000 to 4000 = 4 times
from 4000 to 8000 = 2 times.

But couldn't

You mean 1000 to 4000 = 4*1000
4000 to 8000 = 2 *2000

If so how u took first as 1000 and next as 2000 ..... Or any other logic?

Can you brief it plzzz... !!!

We can solve this another way-

The amount 1000 quadrupled in 12 years- that means the investment increased by 1/3rd (4/12) each year.

Thus to increase the investment by 2 more times ( 1/3 a year + 1/3+ 1/3+ 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3) it will take 6 years.

12+ 6 = 18 years!
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Re: An investment of $1000 was made in a certain account and ear [#permalink] ### Show Tags 30 Mar 2016, 20:47 Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot! Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos). Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email. _________________ Re: An investment of$1000 was made in a certain account and ear   [#permalink] 30 Mar 2016, 20:47
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