In 2011 through 2014, the value of precious metals fluctuated dramatically. The data in the following table (stored in Metals) represent the total rate of return (in percentage) for platinum,
gold, and silver from 2011 through 2014:
Year Platinum Gold Silver
2011 -21.1 10.2 -9.8
2012 8.68 0.1 7.1
2013 -11.7 6.08 7.13
2014 -0.72 -28.65 -26.65
Source: Data extracted from finance. yahoo. com,
May 5, 2015.
a. Compute the geometric mean rate of return per year for platinum, gold, and silver from 2011 through 2014.
b. What conclusions can you reach concerning the geometric
mean rates of return of the three precious metals?