Microsoft earned $$0\mathrm{.}33$ per share in $1997.$ About $14$ years later, in $2011,$ the company earned $$2\mathrm{.}75.$ What was the growth rate in Microsoft$$s earnings per share $($EPS$)$ over the $14-$year period?

$16\mathrm{.}25\%$

$16\mathrm{.}35\%$

$16\mathrm{.}45\%$

$16\mathrm{.}55\%$