Question about a non-intuitive comparative durations?

I came across this question recently and was wondering how to justify the answer:

Which has the higher Macaulay duration: 10yr zero coupon OR 6% (semiannual) 30yr?

I was a bit confused, as I figured that the 10yr has Dur 10 and the 30yr would differ based on the yield? Please help!

3 Comments
 

My professor's answer was the 30yr, but the question provided exactly this much information. In the case that yields were, say, 50% or 100% or some very large number, then wouldn't it be so the that the 30 yr have considerably lower Macaulay duration?

 

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