The present value (PV) of $15,254.24 is the most James bennett can consume in his youth.
<u>Given the following data:</u>
- Investment opportunity (youth) = $12,000
- Investment opportunity (old age) = $15,000
To calculate the most James bennett can consume in his youth:
First of all, we would determine the future value of James bennett from his investment and inheritance as follows:
![FV = 15000 + 3000](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=FV%20%3D%2015000%20%2B%203000)
FV = $18000
Mathematically, the most James bennett can consume in his youth is given by this formula:
![PV = \frac{FV}{(1+i)^n}](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=PV%20%3D%20%5Cfrac%7BFV%7D%7B%281%2Bi%29%5En%7D)
Substituting the given parameters into the formula, we have;
![PV = \frac{18000}{(1+0.18)^1}\\\\PV = \frac{18000}{1.18}](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=PV%20%3D%20%5Cfrac%7B18000%7D%7B%281%2B0.18%29%5E1%7D%5C%5C%5C%5CPV%20%3D%20%5Cfrac%7B18000%7D%7B1.18%7D)
PV = $15,254.24
Therefore, the present value (PV) of $15,254.24 is the most James bennett can consume in his youth.
Read more on present value here: brainly.com/question/24341207