Answer:
Inflation in 2012:
= 10%
Inflation in 2013:
= 9.09%
Inflation in 2014:
= 5%
Real rate of interest = Nominal - inflation
Given that,
Nominal rate = 8%
Therefore,
Real interest rate is as follows:
2012:
= 8% - 10%
= -2%
2013:
= 8% - 9.09%
= -1.09%
2014:
= 8% - 5%
= 3%
$6000 at 8% grows to:
= 1000 × 1.08
= $6,480 in one year
which is invested again to grow to $6,998.4 in two years
which is invested again to grow to $7,558.272 in three years
so,
Total gain:
= 25.9712%
The price level increases in three years by:
= 26%
So,
Total real rate of return:
= Total gain - Percentage increase in prices
= 25.9712 - 26
= -0.0288%