$.$ XYZ Corporation reported earnings per share of $$2\mathrm{.}68$ in $2016$ and $$4\mathrm{.}10$ in $2021.$ At what compound annual rate did earnings per share grow over this period?

a$.4\mathrm{.}56\%$

b$.5\mathrm{.}00\%$

c$.3\mathrm{.}79\%$

d$.9\mathrm{.}00\%$

e$.4\mathrm{.}00\%$