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QUESTION 7 An engineering working for the North Dakota DOT is making $59,000/yr.

ID: 2440677 • Letter: Q

Question

QUESTION 7

An engineering working for the North Dakota DOT is making $59,000/yr. Due to state budget cuts no raises will be given at the end of this year, or the following year. Inflation has been 2.5% for this region. Note- the current year salary (59K) is collected at n=1. The salary then grows by 0% at n=2, and 0% again for n=3.  

A) What is the Year 0 dollars (purchasing power) equivalent of the year 3 salary?

B) The engineer was also given a sign on bonus in year 0, of $10,000. If the engineer had deposited this into an account earning 10%, what is the account balance after 10 years, in Year 0 Dollars?

C) How many Lottery Tickets can the engineer purchase at the end of year 10 with the savings account, knowing Lottery Tickets cost $10 each currently. Note only whole lottery tickets can be purchased.

Explanation / Answer

A) For finding out the purchasing power of Year 3 salary, we will find out by using the following formula:

   Y(n)= Amount *[1/(1+ rate of inflation)]^n

   Y(3)= 59,000 * [1/ (1+ 2.5%)] ^ 3

           = 59,000 * [ 1/ (1.025)] ^3

            = $ 54, 787.365

So, the purchasing power in year 0 =$ 59,000

      the purchasing power in year 3 = $54,787.365

B) We will consider two cases under this question:

CASE 1: When the interest rate is taken in nominal terms i.e. nominal interest rate.

CASE 2: When interest rate is taken in real terms i.e. real interest rate. (taking into account the inflation rate for the region)

So, Bonus that he received = $10,000

nominal interest rate= 10%

Assume that the interest rate is given on per annum basis;

therefore interest provided for one year:

0.1*10,000= $1000

so, for 10 years the interest will be:

10*1000= $10,000

So, after 10 years the account will have the following balance:

$10,000+$10,000 (amount deposited + interest for 10 years)

=$20,000

Therefore, ignoring the inflation rate, he will have $20,000 after 10 years.

CASE 2: Since the rate of inflation is also given, we will consider the next case:

According to Fischer's equation:

nominal interest rate= real interest rate + rate of inflation

or, real interest rate= nominal interest rate - rate of inflation

or, real interest rate= 0.1-0.025 ( nominal interest rate= 10% , inflation rate = 2.5%)

                            = 0.075

                            = 7.5%

Therefore ,real interest for one year = 0.075 * 10,000

                                              =$ 750

and real interest for 10 years= 750*10

                                   =$ 7500

So,real balance in the account after 10 years is =$10,000 +$7500

                                                               =$ 10,750

C) current price of the lottery ticket = $10

    Number of lotteries purchased if we consider CASE 1 ( Savings account has 20,000 in balance)

     = 20,000/100

     = 2000 tickets

Number of lotteries purchased if we consider CASE 2 (Savings account has real balance of $10,750)

=10,750/10

= 1075 tickets (on taking account the rate of inflation)

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