Application of Exponential Functions: Finding the Interest Rate

Example:

What is the interest rate necessary for an investment to quadruple after 7 year of continuous compound interest?

Solution:

Since this question involve continuous compound interest, we will use the associated formula.

A=Pe^{rt}

We are given that the invest quadruples in 7 years.  This tells me that when t=7 that A will be 4 times P.  I can write that in symbols A=4P.

Substitute these values into the continuous compound formula and solve for the interest rate.

Continuous compound formula
A=Pe^{rt}
Substitute the values of t and A into the formula
A=Pe^{rt}
4P=Pe^{r*7}
4P=Pe^{7r}
Solve for r by dividing both sides by P and simplifying
4P=Pe^{7r}
{4P}/P={Pe^{7r}}/P
4=e^{7r}
Solve for r by taking the log of both sides.
4=e^{7r}
ln 4=ln e^{7r}
Solve for r by using the power rule and simplifying
ln 4=ln e^{7r}
ln 4=7r ln e
ln 4=7r (1)
ln 4=7r
Solve for r by dividing both sides by 7 and simplifying
ln 4=7r
{ln 4}/7={7r}/7
{ln 4}/7=r
Find the value in the calculator
{ln 4}/7=r
0.1980420516=r
Write the answer as a percentage rounded to two decimal places
r=0.1980420516
r=19.80420516%
r=19.80%