Compound interest formula:
[tex]A\text{ = }P(1+i)^n[/tex]where:
A is the final amount, here = $250,000
P is the principal amount
i is the interest rate per year (in decimal form), here = 0.085
n is the number of years invested, here = 14
Replacing into the equation and solving for P, we get:
[tex]250000=P(1+0.085)^{14}[/tex][tex]\frac{250000}{1.085^{14}}=P[/tex]
P = $79,785.5