what is the principal if amount is $1,056 the time 4 years and the rate is 8%?

Answer 1

Your question is ambiguous. Do you mean what will you have if you invest $1056 at 8% for 4 years?
Whatever, you will need to do the maths (in Australia we call it maths not math).The formula is P = A x R x T
where P = Principal A = Amount invested and R = rate of return. T = time (in years) In the above example you have
P = 1056 x 8/100 x 4
You do the rest.

Answer 2

If what you are trying to figure out is simple itneresting, then you use the formula:

A = P(1+r)^t

A = Amount you have after the time
P = Principle amount that you start with
r = % interest rate
t = time you have it invested

1056 = P(1 + 0.08)^4
1056 = P(1.08)^4
1056 = P(1.36048896)
P = $776.1915