Continuous Compound Interest with changing capital

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the formulation of continuous compound interest when additional capital is added or subtracted periodically. Participants explore the mathematical representation of this scenario, including the implications of different interest rates and time periods.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the existence of a formula for continuous compound interest with periodic capital changes.
  • Another participant questions the calculation of a specific value, prompting a clarification of the formula used.
  • Several participants propose a recursive formula for calculating the total amount after each month, incorporating both the initial amount and periodic additions.
  • A participant suggests a general formula for the total amount after m months, which includes a summation term for the periodic contributions.
  • Another participant attempts to rewrite the formula using geometric series concepts, indicating a potential simplification.
  • There is a discussion about the correct limits for the summation in the proposed formula, with one participant acknowledging a mistake in their earlier expression.
  • One participant presents a generalized formula that can apply to various time periods and contexts, such as population growth.
  • A suggestion is made to refer to a specific textbook for deeper understanding of the underlying principles and derivations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct formulation and limits of the summation in the context of continuous compound interest. There is no consensus on a definitive formula, and multiple approaches are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of distinguishing between monthly and annual interest rates, as well as the implications of different time periods on the formulas discussed. The discussion also touches on the application of these concepts beyond finance, such as in population dynamics.

cango91
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Is there any equation/formula for continuous compound interest to which money is added (or substracted from) periodically? Or can one be derived?

Thanks

i.e. monthly interest rate is 50% and we add 1$ every month (:bugeye:)
Initially: 1$
1st Month: 1.6 + 1 = 2.6$
2nd month: 4.3 + 1 =5.28
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.
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How are you getting your 4.3?
 
from P*e^(rt)
P for the second month is 2.6, r=0.5 t=1
 
OK, so write out the first few payments using that formula.
 
Initially: P
1st Month: Pe^r + k
2nd month: (Pe^r + k)e^r + k
3rd month: ((Pe^r + k)e^r + k)e^r +k
4th month: (((Pe^r + k)e^r + k)e^r +k)e^r + k
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So?
 
Hmm I think I figured something out:

The total amount of money at month m is:

Pfinal=P0emr+((from t=0 to m-1)[tex]\Sigma[/tex])ket)+k

Can you please check if this statement is true
 
Last edited:
Well distributing would be my first thought to get

[tex]1st = Pe^r + k[/tex]
[tex]2nd = Pe^{2r} + ke^{r} + k[/tex]
[tex]3rd = Pe^{3r} + ke^{2r} + ke^{r} + k = Pe^{3r} + k(e^{2r} + e^{r} + 1)[/tex]
[tex]4th = Pe^{4r} + ke^{3r} + ke^{2r} + ke^{r} + k = Pe^{4r} + k(e^{3r} + e^{2r} + e^{r} + 1)[/tex]

So the first term for n-th month is [tex]Pe^{nr}[/tex], then you have [tex]k\sum_{i=0}^{n-1}e^{ir}[/tex], which looks a lot like a geometric series...
 
cango91 said:
Hmm I think I figured something out:

The total amount of money at month m is:

Pfinal=P0emr+((from t=0 to m-1)[tex]\Sigma[/tex])ket)+k

Can you please check if this statement is true

Your sum should go from 1 not 0 I think.
 
You're right about the summation. I must have added the +k at the end by mistake. So is this a mathematically correct approach? Thank you very much by the way...
 
  • #10
cango91 said:
You're right about the summation. I must have added the +k at the end by mistake. So is this a mathematically correct approach? Thank you very much by the way...

I don't see why it wouldn't be a correct mathematical approach... I didn't check your work so I'm hoping you expressed each month correctly, I just tried to show you how to rewrite it using sums. You should be able to rewrite that sum since it converges (look up geometric sums).
 
  • #11
Thank you very much for your help.
If I'm not mistaken the expression becomes:

[tex]P_{f}=P_{0} e^{kt}+ \frac{a(1-e^{kt})}{1-e^{k}}[/tex]

where [tex]P_{f}[/tex] denotes future value of the money, [tex]P_{0}[/tex] denotes the initial amount of the money, r denotes the annual percent interest and t denotes the total number of years and a is the amount added (or subtracted) each year.

The statement might still be faulty, comments and critics are welcome and encouraged.
 
  • #12
I think the only comment I would make is that you initially said your interest rate is monthly and now you are saying it's annual.
 
  • #13
I tried to generalize it. It can be any period.

Also this expression can be used for population growth where a certain amaunt of individuals die periodically (i.e. anti-viral in virus growth) or where there is periodical immigration.
 
  • #14
Correct it can be any period. If you are really interested in all the subtle differences and how all these formulas are derived you should check out Theory of Interest by Kellison. It's a book used by actuaries to prepare for one of their exams so the notation used might take a little while to get used to. But yes similar process applies to things of this nature, you will see it pop up in intro diff. eq. quite a bit.
 

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