Chapter 5: Problem 8
Your friend invests \(\$ 2000\) at \(5 \frac{1}{4} \%\) per annum compounded semiannually. You invest an equal amount at the same yearly rate, but compounded daily. How much larger is your account than your friend's after 8 years?
Short Answer
Expert verified
Your account is approximately $29.82 larger than your friend's after 8 years.
Step by step solution
01
Convert the interest rates to decimal form
First, convert the interest rate from a percentage to a decimal. The interest rate given is \(5 \frac{1}{4}\%\) which is equivalent to \(5.25\%\). To convert this to a decimal, divide by 100, yielding \(0.0525\).
02
Calculate final amount for semiannual compounding
For your friend's investment, which is compounded semiannually, use the compound interest formula: \[A = P \left(1 + \frac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}\]where \(P = 2000\), \(r = 0.0525\), \(n = 2\) (since interest is compounded twice a year), and \(t = 8\).Substitute the values into the formula:\[A = 2000 \left(1 + \frac{0.0525}{2}\right)^{2 \cdot 8}\]\[A = 2000 \left(1 + 0.02625\right)^{16}\]\[A = 2000 \times 1.02625^{16}\]Calculate \(A\).
03
Calculate final amount for daily compounding
For your investment, which is compounded daily, use the same compound interest formula:\[A = P \left(1 + \frac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}\]where \(n = 365\) since interest is compounded daily.Substitute the values into the formula:\[A = 2000 \left(1 + \frac{0.0525}{365}\right)^{365 \cdot 8}\]\[A = 2000 \times \left(1 + 0.0001438356\right)^{2920}\]Calculate \(A\).
04
Compare the two investment amounts
Subtract your friend's final amount from your own final amount to find the difference. Let \(A_{friends}\) be the friend's final amount and \(A_{your}\) be your final amount.\(\text{Difference} = A_{your} - A_{friends}\)Calculate this amount to find out how much larger your account is compared to your friend's.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Semiannual Compounding
Semiannual compounding means that interest is added to the principal twice a year. This approach impacts how quickly your investment grows.
- Principal amount: The starting sum, here, \$2000\.
- Interest rate: Given as \5.25\% annually.
- Frequency: Semiannual means the interest application is twice a year, or every 6 months.
Daily Compounding
Daily compounding takes the concept of compound interest to the next level by adding interest every single day. Each day, a tiny fraction of interest is calculated and added to the balance.
- Principal: Same initial investment, \$2000\.
- Annual interest rate: \5.25\%.
- Compounding frequency: Here, each day, making it \365\ times a year.
Interest Rate Conversion
Interest rate conversion is crucial in understanding how different compounding periods affect the total interest earned or paid. By transforming the percentage rate into a practical rate for compounding frequency, you accurately reflect how interest accumulates.
The interest listed as \5.25\% per annum doesn't apply directly in all cases since that rate must be adjusted according to the number of compounding periods within a year.
For semiannual compounding, divide \5.25\% by \2\ to get a per-period rate. For daily, divide by \365\. This step ensures that the calculations in the compound interest formula accurately reflect the situation, providing a usable interest amount to be inserted into \[ \frac{r}{n} \].
The interest listed as \5.25\% per annum doesn't apply directly in all cases since that rate must be adjusted according to the number of compounding periods within a year.
For semiannual compounding, divide \5.25\% by \2\ to get a per-period rate. For daily, divide by \365\. This step ensures that the calculations in the compound interest formula accurately reflect the situation, providing a usable interest amount to be inserted into \[ \frac{r}{n} \].
Investment Comparison
Investment comparison allows you to determine which investment strategy yields a better return. By comparing the end balances of two different compounding methods, you make informed financial decisions.
- Final Amount (Semiannual): Calculated using \ n = 2\.
- Final Amount (Daily): Calculated using \ n = 365\.
- Difference: Subtract the semiannual amount from the daily to find extra earnings.