If $3000 is deposited in an account that pays 5% interest, what is the difference in the amount after 4 years between the amount earned if the principal is compounded annually and the amount earned calculated using simple interest? a. $30.72 b. $41.12 c. $46.52 d. $53.76

answer: c, the green line

step-by-step explanation:

there is no black line, eliminate b.

simple interest implies periodic payments, but the red line shows no payments, eliminate d.

simple interest has equal payments. if paid say every day, the graph is about a straight line (actually a stairstep).

the yellow line is not straight, eliminate a.

check: the green line is straight, answer is c.

simple interest with positive interest rate gives a straight line sloping up to the right. green line:

g(t) = $100 + ($200-$100) ÷ (20 years) × (t years)

= $100 + (4%/year) × ($100)(t years)

incidentally, the yellow line curving upward represents continuously compounded interest

y = $100 × 2^(t years / (14 assuming the yellow line hits $200 at 14 years. 2^0 is 1, so y(0) = $100; 2^(14/14) is 2, so y(14) = $200.