Problema Solution

Suppose that you have $10,000 to invest. which investment yields a greater return over 3 years: 4% compounded monthly or 3.5% continuously,

a. write the formula for compound interest for n compounding per year.

b. write the formula for continuously compounded interest.

c. use the formulas and solve for each investment.

d. which investment offers a better return on your money over 3 years.

Answer provided by our tutors

 

Let the original rate be r, principal be p,and time period be t years.

then

Amount A = P*[{1+(r/100)}^t]  if interest is compunded anually.

a.) For 'n' compounding per year, the rate per compounding period r1 = r/n.

Now, A = P*[{1+r1/100}^n]

And C.I. = A-P

b.)For continuously compounded interest,

Amount A = P*[{1+(r/100)}^t]

C.I. = A-P

c.) 

I. At 4% p.a. compounded monthly.

1.Compounded monthly means 12 compounding periods per year (since there are 12 months, and the interest in compounded every month)

We are investing for 3 years.Therefore,n=12*3=36

2. r= 4/12 = 0.33% per month (PS : Interest is compounded monthly.So we need the rate of interest per month)

3.P=$10,000

4.Now A= 10,000*[{1+(0.33/100)}^36] = 10,000 * 1.1272 = $11,272 (approx.)

5.C.I. = A-P = $11,272 - $10,000 = $1,272

II. At 3.5% p.a compounded annually(continuously)

1.Compounded annually means only one compounding period per annum

We are investing for 3 years.Therefore, n=1*3 = 3

2.r=3.5/1 = 3.5% per annum

3.P=$10,000

4.Now A = $10,000 * [{1+(3.5/100)}^3] = $10,000 * 1.0350 = $11,087(approx.)

5.C.I. = $11,087 - $10,000 = $1,087

d.) The first investment(4% compounded monthly) is better than the second investment(3.5% compounded annually) because it yields a better interest.


Let the original rate be r, principal be p,and time period be t years.

then

 

Amount A = P*[{1+(r/100)}^t]  if interest is compunded anually.

 

a.) For 'n' compounding per year, the rate per compounding period r1 = r/n.

 

Now, A = P*[{1+r1/100}^n]

And C.I. = A-P

 

b.)For continuously compounded interest,

 

Amount A = P*[{1+(r/100)}^t]

 

C.I. = A-P

 

c.) 

 

I. At 4% p.a. compounded monthly.

 

1.Compounded monthly means 12 compounding periods per year (since there are 12 months, and the interest in compounded every month)

We are investing for 3 years.Therefore,n=12*3=36

 

2. r= 4/12 = 0.33% per month (PS : Interest is compounded monthly.So we need the rate of interest per month)

 

3.P=$10,000

 

4.Now A= 10,000*[{1+(0.33/100)}^36] = 10,000 * 1.1272 = $11,272 (approx.)

 

5.C.I. = A-P = $11,272 - $10,000 = $1,272

 

II. At 3.5% p.a compounded annually(continuously)

 

1.Compounded annually means only one compounding period per annum

We are investing for 3 years.Therefore, n=1*3 = 3

 

2.r=3.5/1 = 3.5% per annum

 

3.P=$10,000

 

4.Now A = $10,000 * [{1+(3.5/100)}^3] = $10,000 * 1.0350 = $11,087(approx.)

 

5.C.I. = $11,087 - $10,000 = $1,087

 

d.) The first investment(4% compounded monthly) is better than the second investment(3.5% compounded annually) because it yields a better interest.