Question:medium

In a bank, the principal increases continuously at a rate of $x%$ per year. Then the rate $x$, if Rs.\ 100 doubles itself in 10 years, is ($\log 2 = 0.6931$)

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For continuous growth, use \(A = Pe^{rt}\).
Updated On: May 14, 2026
  • $6.93%$
  • $9.63%$
  • $6.09%$
  • $3.69%$
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This problem describes a scenario of continuous compounding. When a quantity increases continuously at a proportional rate, it models exponential growth. The rate of change of the principal $P$ with respect to time $t$ is directly proportional to the current principal. Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. Differential equation for continuous growth: $\frac{dP}{dt} = \frac{x}{100} P$. 2. The solution is the exponential growth model: $P(t) = P_0 e^{rt}$, where $r = x/100$ is the continuous growth rate as a decimal and $P_0$ is the initial principal. Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let $P$ represent the principal at any given time $t$ in years.
The continuous rate of increase is given by: \[ \frac{dP}{dt} = \left(\frac{x}{100}\right) P \] Separate variables to solve the differential equation: \[ \frac{dP}{P} = \left(\frac{x}{100}\right) dt \] Integrate both sides: \[ \int \frac{dP}{P} = \int \left(\frac{x}{100}\right) dt \] \[ \log_e P = \frac{x}{100} t + C \] Convert to exponential form: \[ P(t) = e^{\frac{x}{100} t + C} = e^C \cdot e^{\frac{xt}{100}} \] Let $e^C = P_0$, representing the initial principal at $t=0$. Thus, $P(t) = P_0 e^{\frac{xt}{100}}$. We are given that the initial principal $P_0$ is ₹100. The problem states it doubles in 10 years. So at $t = 10$, $P(10) = 2 \times 100 = 200$. Substitute these values into the growth model: \[ 200 = 100 e^{\frac{x \cdot 10}{100}} \] Divide by 100: \[ 2 = e^{\frac{x}{10}} \] Take the natural logarithm ($\log_e$) of both sides to isolate the exponent: \[ \log_e(2) = \frac{x}{10} \] We are given the approximation $\log_e(2) = 0.6931$. \[ 0.6931 = \frac{x}{10} \] Multiply by 10 to solve for $x$: \[ x = 10 \times 0.6931 = 6.931 \] The value of $x$ is approximately $6.93$. The question frames $x$ as the percentage value itself, so the rate is $6.93%$. Step 4: Final Answer:
The rate $x$ is $6.93%$.
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