** I think the confusion is $C. This question is asking to develop the equation and $C is the variable that represents the cost of college. Otherwise, there is no need to solve the problem, the equation is sufficient.

Please, provide a step by step explanation or a clear outline of how to figure out the answer. My problem is calculating what the tax interest & inflation.

3.Assume a particular university's tuition and fees are $C today.

Assume the after tax interest rate you can earn in the next 24 years is 5%.

Assume the inflation rate of tuition and fees in the next 24 years will be 4%.

Show how to determine how much would be enough to invest today to pay for four years of tuition and fees starting at the beginning of 20 years from now.

Just set up the equations needed to find the answer