Suppose that Jethro deposits $2000 into an account which pays simple interest of 4% per annum, which we express as the rate r = 0.04. Simple interest means Jethro only earns interest on the principal $2000 investment. After one year, the total in the account is $. After 5 years, the total in the account is $.
Suppose that his friend Marlene deposits $1000 into an account which pays an interest rate of 3% per annum, which we express as the rate r = 0.03, but compounded monthly. Note that this 3% per annum translates into the rate 0.25% per month. After 1 month, Marlene's account contains $, and after 12 months (1 year) it would contain $. After three years, it would contain $.
Note: you can leave complicated expressions like 2000 x (1 + 13/35)^35 for MapleTA to evaluate.