Maria buys 8 shares of a stock for $8 each. The stock price increases 50% the first year Maria holds it, then decreases 25% in the second year. What is the final value of all Maria's shares?
First find the initial total value of Maria's purchase: 8 shares * $8/share = $
<gadget id="calculator">8*8</gadget>
<output>64</output>
64.
Then find the amount of the first price increase: $64 * .5 = $
<gadget id="calculator">64*.5</gadget>
<output>32</output>
32.
Add that amount to the initial value to find the value after the first year: $64 + $32 = $
<gadget id="calculator">64+32</gadget>
<output>96</output>
96.
Then multiply that amount by 25% to find the amount of the decrease in the second year: $96 * 25% = $
<gadget id="calculator">96*25*.01</gadget>
<output>24</output>
24.
Then subtract that amount from the value after the first year to find the final value: $96 - $24 = $
<gadget id="calculator">96-24</gadget>
<output>72</output>
72.

<result>72</result>