A local university has a goal of raising $500,000 for an escrow account. Their fund-raising committee has committed to raising $5,000 a month until they reach their goal. These funds are deposited into an interest-bearing account that earns interest at the rate of 8 percent per year compounded monthly. The first deposit is made at the end of the current month. How many months (aka how many deposits) can the committee expect to continue their fund-raising campaign

77 months

Explanation:

Use the NPER function on Excel to find the answer.

Rate is compounded monthly so:

= 8% / 12

= 0.66667%

Payment = 5,000 per month

Present value = $0

Future value = 500,000

Value should be = 76.87 months

= 77 months

you will have $2593.74 in 10 years if you set aside $1,000 at 10%

you will have $9321.91 in 20 years if you set aside $2000 at 8%

you will have $1469.32 in 5 years if you set aside $1000 at 8%

you will have $1296.87 in 10 years if you set aside $500 at 10%

you will have $239.66 in 15 years if you set aside $100 at 6%

you will have $4660.96 in 20 years if you set aside $1000 at 8%