Is there any way to derive an equation for compound interest based

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The discussion focuses on deriving a compound interest equation based on the effective interest rate rather than the nominal rate. It highlights that the effective rate is not the same as the real rate and is essentially the nominal rate adjusted for compounding. The original compound interest formula, F = P e^(rt), assumes continuous compounding at the nominal rate. To modify this for effective interest, the relationship I = e^r - 1 is introduced, leading to the formula F = (1 + I)^t for annual compounding. For multiple compounding periods, the formula becomes F = P(1 + r/n)^(nt), demonstrating how effective interest can be derived from nominal rates.
ainster31
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Is there any way to derive an equation for compound interest based on effective interest rate instead of the nominal interest rate?
 
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Why would the equation for the effective rate be any different than the equation for the nominal rate ?
 
phinds said:
Why would the equation for the effective rate be any different than the equation for the nominal rate ?

I am aware of this equation for compound interest based on nominal interest:

$$F=P{ e }^{ rt }\\ where\quad r=nominal\quad annual\quad interest\\ and\quad t=number\quad of\quad years$$

How would I modify it for effective interest?
 
ainster31 said:
I am aware of this equation for compound interest based on nominal interest:

$$F=P{ e }^{ rt }\\ where\quad r=nominal\quad annual\quad interest\\ and\quad t=number\quad of\quad years$$

How would I modify it for effective interest?

Why would the equation for the effective rate be any different than the equation for the nominal rate ?
 
bahamagreen said:
See if this helps...

Difference Between Nominal & Effective Interest Rates

http://www.ehow.com/info_8149388_difference-nominal-effective-interest-rates.html

That's interesting. I was interpreting "effective" in this context to mean "real", which is not at all what it means. Basically the "effective" rate is just the nominal rate plus a very small amount, it has nothing to do with the real rate.
 
ainster31 said:
I am aware of this equation for compound interest based on nominal interest:

$$F=P{ e }^{ rt }\\ where\quad r=nominal\quad annual\quad interest\\ and\quad t=number\quad of\quad years$$

How would I modify it for effective interest?

This equation assumes that there is continuous compounding at the nominal interest rate. The relationship between the nominal interest rate in this equation and the effective interest rate I is found by calculating the principal after 1 year:

Pe^r=P(1+I)
So, I=e^r-1

If we substitute this into your original equation, we obtain:
F=(1+I)^t
More generally, if there are n compounding periods a year, and r is the nominal interest rate,

F=P(1+\frac{r}{n})^{nt}
So, (1+\frac{r}{n})^{n}=(1+I)
So,I=(1+\frac{r}{n})^{n}-1
 

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