Suppose $500 is invested in an account at an annual interest rate of r =5.5%, compounded continuously.

(a) Let t denote the number of years after the initial investment and A(t) denote the amount of money in the account at time t. Find a formula for A(t).
(b) Find the amount of money in the account after 9 years and after 17 years. Round your answer to the nearest cent (hundredths).