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At what rate (in percentage) per annum will a sum of money double itself in 16 years on simple interest?
12.5%
5.6%
6.25%
5%
6.25%
For a sum to become n times in T years, the rate is simply R=T100(nтИТ1)тАЛ. Here, n=2, so R=16100(2тИТ1)тАЛ=16100тАЛ=6.25%.
Time (T) = 16 years. The sum of money doubles itself (Amount A = 2 ├Ч Principal P).
R=T100├Ч(nтИТ1)тАЛ
For a sum to become n times in T years, the rate is simply R=T100(nтИТ1)тАЛ. Here, n=2, so R=16100(2тИТ1)тАЛ=16100тАЛ=6.25%.
Confusing the amount formula with simple interest; remember that if a sum doubles, the Simple Interest (SI) gained is equal to the Principal (SI=P).
Identify the given variables
Let the principal be P. If the amount doubles, the final amount A=2P. The interest earned is SI=AтИТP=2PтИТP=P. Time T=16 years.
SI=P,T=16
Apply Simple Interest Formula
The formula for simple interest is SI=100P├ЧR├ЧTтАЛ. Substituting the known values:
P=100P├ЧR├Ч16тАЛ
Solve for Rate (R)
Divide both sides by P and isolate R:
1=100R├Ч16тАЛтЯ╣R=16100тАЛ=6.25%
C is correct because the rate required for the principal to double in 16 years is 6.25%.
This concept is a subset of simple interest problems involving 'times of itself' (e.g., tripling or quadrupling), which can be solved quickly using the (nтИТ1) multiplier on the numerator.