Formulas for interest Interest

  • Thread starter Thread starter cracker
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Formulas Interest
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the confusion surrounding the correct application of the compound interest formula. The formula presented, P=A(1+(r/n)^(rt)), is debated, with a clarification that the correct expression should be P=A(1+(r/n))^(nt) for annual compounding. A user suggests simplifying calculations by expressing the interest rate as 1.09 for easier memory retention. The importance of knowing whether the interest is simple or compounded, and the frequency of compounding, is emphasized as crucial for accurate calculations. Overall, understanding the correct formulas and their applications is vital for solving interest-related problems effectively.
cracker
Messages
37
Reaction score
0
Today I was watching my sister do her Financial homework and I tryed to do one of them problems it said something about haveing 5000 bucks at 9% interest for 6 years and you had to find how much you would have.

And so I tryed to use the compound interest formula P=A(1+(r/n)^rt but we both got totaly different anwers. She did it on a standar issued financial caculator.

So is that the formula for compound interest? P=A(1+(r/n)^rt. And is this how you plug it in? P=5,000(1+(.09/6)^(.09*6)

Also what are other interest raletaed equations and state what goes in the variables.

All the other ones that I know are:

Compound Interest: P=A(1+(r/n)^rt

Compound Interest Continusly: P=e^rt

Rule of 72

Rule of 82

Simple Interest: You don't really need a formula for this one, all that happens is that your you only earn interest on your original amound earns interst.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The formula for compound interest is: P(1+\frac{r}{n})^{nt} not P(1+\frac{r}{n})^{rt} So:

A = 5000(1+\frac{0.09}{1})^{6} = 8385.5, assuming that it is returned once per year.
 
Last edited:
I never remember the compound interest formula. I just express a 9% increase as 1.09. Then the answer just becomes 5000(1.09^6)

I just find this method easier to remember tbh..although it's basically the same thing.
 
Last edited:
That's assuming it is compounded annually. Surely the problem said something more than just "5000 bucks at 9% interest for 6 years". Didn't it say something like "simple interest" or "compounded monthly", "compounded annually", etc.?
 
I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...
Back
Top