Answer:
(a) The value 550 represents the initial balance in the account, which means the account started with $550.
Step-by-step explanation:
You want the meaning of 550 in the simple interest expression 687.5 = 550(1 + 0.05t).
The formula for computing the amount A of an account earning simple interest at annual rate r on its initial balance P for t years is ...
A = P(1 +rt)
Comparing this formula to the given equation, we see ...
687.5 = 550(1 +0.05t)
The initial balance (starting amount) was 550.