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Compound Interest Formula:
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Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods of a deposit or loan. It allows savings to grow at a faster rate compared to simple interest.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much an investment will grow over time when interest is compounded at regular intervals.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, retirement savings, and investment strategies. It demonstrates how money can grow exponentially over time.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a percentage, number of compounding periods per year, and time in years. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between simple and compound interest?
A: Simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount, while compound interest is calculated on both the principal and accumulated interest.
Q2: How does compounding frequency affect returns?
A: More frequent compounding (e.g., monthly vs. annually) results in higher returns due to interest being calculated on interest more often.
Q3: What are typical compounding periods?
A: Common compounding periods include annually (1), semi-annually (2), quarterly (4), monthly (12), and daily (365).
Q4: Can this calculator be used for loans?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to compound interest on loans, though the context and implications are different.
Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The calculator provides accurate mathematical results based on the inputs, but actual investment returns may vary due to market conditions and other factors.