Compound Interest Formula:
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The compound interest formula calculates the future value of an investment or loan based on the principal amount, interest rate, compounding frequency, and time period. It demonstrates how money grows over time through the power of compounding.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much an initial investment will grow over time when interest is compounded at regular intervals.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, investment decisions, and retirement savings. It shows how small, regular investments can grow significantly over time.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in dollars, interest rate as a decimal (e.g., 0.05 for 5%), 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 previously earned interest more often.
Q3: What is a typical compounding frequency for savings accounts?
A: Most savings accounts compound interest daily or monthly, though this can vary by financial institution.
Q4: How do I convert annual percentage rate to decimal?
A: Divide the percentage by 100 (e.g., 5% becomes 0.05).
Q5: Can this calculator be used for loans as well?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to calculating the future value of loans with compound interest.