Cost of bag of soil = x-3 where x is the price of a flower pot
41=3x + 5(x-3)
41=3x + 5x -15
41=8x -15
41+15=8x
56=8x
56÷8=x
$7.00=x
The formula of the present value of annuity due:
For your case:
C = $3000
i = 12% / 100 = 0.12
n = 3 * 2 = 6 (semiannually for 3 years means 6 payments)
So, the solution is:
No it doesn't become positive