1. **State the problem:** Find the ending balance using simple interest for $34,100 at 4% for 3 years. 2. **Formula:** The simple interest formula is $$A = P(1 + r y)$$ where: - $A$ is the ending balance - $P$ is the principal (initial amount) - $r$ is the annual interest rate (as a decimal) - $y$ is the number of years 3. **Convert the interest rate:** 4% = 0.04 4. **Substitute values:** $$A = 34100(1 + 0.04 \times 3)$$ 5. **Calculate inside the parentheses:** $$1 + 0.04 \times 3 = 1 + 0.12 = 1.12$$ 6. **Multiply:** $$A = 34100 \times 1.12$$ 7. **Final calculation:** $$A = 38192$$ **Answer:** The ending balance is $38192$.