Often the most difficult part of solving a system of equations problem is writing out the system from a word description. In this FAQ, we look at a complicated sounding problem and form a system of linear equations from the problem.
This FAQ explores how to take a story problem and write it out as a system of linear equations.
In Section 5.3, you are asked to find the rate in a sinking fund. Using the ordinary annuity formula results in an equation that is very difficult to solve. Instead, try graphing each side to the equation and locating the point of intersection.
In many investment problems, you are given an amount of money and asked what will it accumulate to in a certain amount of time at some interest rate. Essentially, these problems are asking you to find the future value of the amount of money. Depending on how that money accumulates, you might use one of several different formulas.
The MathFAQ below looks at how you calculate present value in the context of different type of interest.
It is easy to confuse the processes for solving for the rate versus the number of years in the compound interest formula. The two MathFAQs compare the process of solving for the rate (using roots or powers) with solving for years (using logarithms)
Many problems require you to work with the compound interest formula.
Here are some FAQs that might help you to solve for various quantities in the formula.
