Carcass wrote:
An investment compounds annually at an interest rate of 34.1% What is the smallest investment period by which time the investment will more than triple in value?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
E. 8
We can 
use fractions to solve this question. 
Each year, the investment increases 34.1% 
This is very close to an increase of 1/3 (33.33%) 
So, if the investment increases by 1/3 each year, then each year, we can find the value of the investment by multiplying last year's value by 
4/3 (this represents a 1/3 increase) 
So, let's say the initial investment is 
$1. 
We want to determine how many years it takes the investment to be worth at least $3 (triple) 
Year 0: 
$1Year 1: (
$1)(4/3) = $4/3 
Year 2: (
$1)(4/3)(4/3) = $16/9 (this is 
less than $3) 
Year 3: (
$1)(4/3)(4/3)(4/3) = $64/27 (this is 
less than $3) 
Year 4: (
$1)(4/3)(4/3)(4/3)(4/3) = $256/81 (this is 
more than $3) 
So, it takes 4 years for the investment to more than triple in value. 
Answer = A
Cheers, 
Brent