Final answer:
The present value of an investment offering $6,125 per year at an 8 percent return is $55,570.20 for 15 years, $79,935.68 for 40 years, $88,513.29 for 75 years, and $76,562.50 for an indefinite number of years. These values are calculated using the present value formulas for annuities and perpetuities.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the present value of an investment that offers $6,125 per year, we need to discount these payments back to their value today at the required return of 8 percent.
- For 15 years, the present value (PV) is calculated using the formula PV = PMT × ((1 - (1 + r)^{-n}) / r), where PMT is the annual payment, r is the annual discount rate, and n is the number of years. Therefore, the PV is $6,125 × ((1 - (1 + 0.08)^{-15}) / 0.08), which equals $55,570.20.
- For 40 years, the present value is $6,125 × ((1 - (1 + 0.08)^{-40}) / 0.08), which equals $79,935.68.
- For 75 years, the present value is $6,125 × ((1 - (1 + 0.08)^{-75}) / 0.08), which equals $88,513.29.
- To calculate the present value when the payments occur forever, we use the formula for a perpetuity: PV = PMT / r. Thus, the present value is $6,125 / 0.08, which equals $76,562.50.