Henry Ernest Dudeney/Puzzles and Curious Problems/33 - Prosperous Business/Solution

Puzzles and Curious Problems by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $33$

Prosperous Business

A man started business with a capital of $\pounds 2000$, and increased his wealth by $50$ per cent every three years.

How much did he possess at the expiration of eighteen years?

Solution

$\pounds 22 \, 781, 5 \shillings$

Proof

Let $T$ be the total required.

We have:

$T = 2000 \times \paren {\dfrac 3 2}^6$

which evaluates to:

$T = 22 \, 781 \cdotp 25$

$\blacksquare$

Sources

• 1932: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Puzzles and Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Solutions: $33$. -- Prosperous Business
• 1968: Henry Ernest Dudeney: 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Answers: $30$. Prosperous Business