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Bunuel
A savings account accrues 5% interest at the end of every four months. Given an initial savings deposit of s, if an extra 10 dollars was deposited into the account immediately after the first year, which of the following choices represents the ending balance of the savings account after y years, where y > 1?


A. \((s)^{3y} - 3(1.05) + (10)^3y(1.05)\)

B. \((s)^{3y}(1.05) + (10)3^{y-3}(1.05)\)

C. \((s)(1.05)^{3y} + (10)3^{y - 3}\)

D. \((s)(1.05)^{3y - 3} + (10)3^y\)

E. \((s)(1.05)^{3y} + (10)(1.05)^{3y - 3}\)


Initial investment is "\(s\)" dollars, invested at 5% interest rate for 4 months

After 4 months the total amount becomes = \(s(1+0.05) = 1.05s\)

After 8 months the total amount becomes = \(1.05s(1+0.05) = (1.05)^{2}*s\)
&
After 12 months the total becomes = \((1.05)^{2}*s*(1+0.05) = (1.05)^{3}*s\)

So Total balance after 1 year = \((1.05)^{3}*s\)

To this balance $10 are added, hence new principal amount is \((1.05)^{3}*s + 10\)

Now we are asked to calculate the balance after total \(y\) years, so for year 1 of the \(y\) years we get \((1.05)^{3}*s\) & $10 dollars are added.

This amount = \((1.05)^{3}*s + 10\) is then invested for the remaining \((y-1)\) years at 5% interest accrued every 4 months

We get,

At the end of year 1, the balance amount = \([(1.05)^{3}*s + 10] * (1.05)^{3*1}\)

At the end of year 2, the balance amount = \([(1.05)^{3}*s + 10] * (1.05)^3 * (1.05)^3\) = \([(1.05)^{3}*s + 10] * (1.05)^{3*2}\)

Hence at the end of \((y-1)\) years, the balance amount = \([(1.05)^{3}*s + 10] * (1.05)^{3(y-1)}\)

Simplified as,

\([(1.05)^{3}*s + 10] * (1.05)^{3(y-1)}\) = \((s)(1.05)^{3y} + (10)(1.05)^{3y - 3}\)


Answer E.


Thanks,
GyM
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